British Columbia·NewThe City of Vernon in B.C.’s Okanagan region has issued an evacuation order for about 20 properties due to a new wildfire Sunday.Drivers on Highway 97 told to expect delaysCBC News · Posted: Aug 17, 2025 8:59 PM EDT | Last Updated: 23 minutes agoThe Boltres Creek wildfire burns out of control Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, near Vernon, B.C. (B.C. Wildfire Service)A new wildfire Sunday has prompted the City of Vernon to issue an evacuation order for about 20 properties.The Boltres Creek wildfire, located off Highway 97, is 40 hectares (0.4 square kilometres) in size and out of control, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS).The City of Vernon said the tactical evacuations for properties on Commonage Road from Rose’s Pond to the Allan Brookes Nature Centre were underway.Residents have been asked to “prepare to be away from their properties for an extended period of time, make arrangements for pets and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents,” according to the city.Basic emergency support is available at the reception centre at Kal Tire Place in Vernon, the city said.The BCWS says 17 firefighting personnel are responding to the Boltres Creek wildfire along with three helicopters, which will use Kalamalka Lake as a water source.The wildfire service asked the public to give the firefighters room to work and said anyone out on the lake should quickly move out of the way of skimmers.Drivers on Highway 97 were told to expect delays due to the wildfire. A section of the highway’s southbound right lane was reopened after being temporarily closed due to the fire.The most up-to-date highway information is available on the DriveBC website.
Vernon, B.C., orders tactical evacuations as wildfire grows out of control
