British ColumbiaA wildfire near Peachland, B.C., that has forced the evacuation of hundreds of properties in the Okanagan municipality, has tripled in reported size. Wildfire service says overcast weather limited the severity of fire behaviour throughout FridayCBC News · Posted: Sep 26, 2025 1:36 PM EDT | Last Updated: September 27The wildfire burning near the Munro Lake Forest Service Road near Peachland, B.C., photographed on Thursday. (B.C. Wildfire Service)A wildfire near Peachland, B.C., that has forced the evacuation of properties in the Okanagan municipality, has tripled in reported size.The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) reported Friday that the fire around the Munro Lake Forest Service Road just west of Okanagan Lake is now burning over 2.2 square kilometres, up from 0.74 square kilometres on Thursday. The service said overcast weather limited the severity of fire behaviour throughout the day Friday.An evacuation order for 325 addresses was in place, along with an evacuation alert for more than 1,100 properties — meaning residents there must be ready to leave at short notice.Around 7 p.m. PT, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations said a portion of the evacuation order was downgraded to an evacuation alert. The Peachland addresses that remain on evacuation order are: 5440 to 5453 McDougald Rd. 5420 to 5443 Pierce Pl. 5357 to 5495 Pierce St. 5321 Princeton Ave. to 5436 Princeton Ave. Central Okanagan Emergency Operations said no further changes to evacuation orders or alerts were anticipated Friday evening.The fire started on Thursday afternoon, according to the BCWS.Peachland is a district municipality of about 5,000 people located around 20 kilometres southwest of Kelowna.More than 40 personnel are working on the fire, according to BCWS, as well as air tankers and four helicopters.The wildfire prompted an evacuation order for 325 addresses Thursday. (B.C. Wildfire Service)On Thursday, Kirsten Jones, information officer with the regional district’s emergency operations centre, encouraged affected residents to subscribe to the district’s email notification list and register online for updates and access to support.Evacuated residents who need assistance can go to the muster centre at the Peachland Community Centre for more resources, Jones said.She also recommended that residents share verified information and check in on neighbours.The fire is suspected to be human-caused, which is how any wildfire not sparked by lightning is categorized.With files from Lauren Vanderdeen
Portion of evacuation orders downgraded as wildfire near Peachland, B.C.
