Out-of-control wildfire near Fintry prompts evacuation alert

The photo shows part of Fintry with smoke rising behind the homes.

July 25 2026 - A wildfire near Shorts Creek on the west side of Okanagan Lake remains out of control Saturday evening, with an evacuation alert in place for the Fintry area.

The blaze, designated K51214 by the BC Wildfire Service, was discovered July 25 and measured 5.18 hectares as of the 8:04 p.m. PDT update. It is being fought by ground crews and aerial resources working with the North Westside Fire Department.

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Helicopters are drawing water from Okanagan Lake to attack the fire and the skimmers were drawing water from Kalamalka Lake. Boaters have been asked to stay clear of the operating areas for safety.

Fourteen BCWS firefighters are on scene, along with multiple aircraft. Crews are seeing Rank 2 and 3 fire behaviour, surface fire with open flame and a slow to moderate rate of spread.

Eyewitnesses reported at least two helicopters and firefighting skimmers working the fire through the afternoon and into the early evening.

A local resident said a lightning storm passed through the area earlier in the day.

From across the lake, a wall of smoke was visible behind the community of Fintry, with bucketing helicopters continuing to work the fire as darkness approached.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan has issued an evacuation alert, warning residents of a potential threat to life and property and advising them to be ready to leave if ordered.

The cause remains under investigation.

For the latest information, contact the Kamloops Fire Centre at 250-554-5965 or KFCINFO@gov.bc.ca.

Out-of-control wildfire near Fintry prompts evacuation alert