Wildfire Update: Drought Hill Fire, South of Kelowna, BC

July 31, 2025 - The Drought Hill wildfire (Fire Number K51121) was discovered on July 30, 2025, approximately two kilometers north of Peachland, between Highway 97C and Highway 97.

As of July 31, 2025, at 12:09 p.m. PDT, the fire covers 57 hectares and is classified as out of control, meaning it is spreading or expected to spread beyond its current perimeter.

Approximately 400 properties east of Trepanier Bench Road, south of Highway 97C, and north of Highway 97 are under evacuation orders issued by the Regional District of Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) on July 30,

Who’s Affected and Evacuation Status  

• Evacuation Orders: Approximately 400 properties east of Trepanier Bench Road, south of Highway 97C, and north of Highway 97 are under evacuation orders issued by the Regional District of Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) on July 30, 2025. Residents in these areas must leave immediately.

• Evacuation Alerts: About 225 properties southwest of the evacuation order area are under an evacuation alert, meaning residents should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

  
  

  Check your property’s status by searching your street address on the interactive map at CORDemergency.ca/map.

What Affected Residents Should Do  

• If Under Evacuation Order: Leave immediately. Follow directions from local authorities and evacuate using designated routes.

  
  

• If Under Evacuation Alert: Be ready to leave at short notice. Prepare by:

  • Locating family members and designating a meeting point outside the evacuation area.

  • Packing essential items: government-issued ID, medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (e.g., insurance, credit, mortgage info), and, if time allows, keepsakes.

  • Preparing to assist disabled persons, children, or neighbors if needed.

  • Arranging transportation and filling vehicle gas tanks. If you need transportation assistance, call 250-469-8490.

  • Planning to take pets and, if possible, moving livestock to a safe area.

  • Arranging accommodation with family or friends if possible.

    
    

• Emergency Support Services (ESS): If you need basic support (e.g., food, shelter), visit Royal LePage Place, 2760 Cameron Avenue, West Kelowna. Register online for ESS at Emergency Support Services Self Registration if you have a BC Services Card App.

  
  

• The Peachland Community Centre (4450 6th Street, Peachland) is open until 4 p.m. as an informal drop-in location but does not offer ESS services.

  
  

• Do Not Donate Goods: The EOC cannot accept food or item donations due to logistical and safety concerns. Instead, help by checking on neighbors, making an emergency plan (visit PreparedBC.ca), and staying informed via official channels.

  
  

• Stay Informed: Monitor CORDemergency.ca, facebook.com/CORDEmergency, or twitter.com/CO_Emerg for updates.

  
  

• For non-emergency inquiries, call 250-469-8490 or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free). Only call 911 for emergencies.

  
  

Fire Activity and Response  

• Current Status: The fire remains between Highway 97 and Highway 97C, displaying rank 2 fire behavior (surface fire with some open flame and a slow to moderate rate of spread). As temperatures rise on July 31, fire activity may increase.

  
  

• Overnight Efforts: Crews patrolled and suppressed hotspots overnight.

  
  

• Current Resources:

  
  

  • Personnel: 35 BC Wildfire Service firefighters and 14 firefighters from Peachland, Kelowna, and North Westside fire departments are on scene.

  • Aviation: Yesterday, land-based airtankers, skimmers, birddogs, and three helicopters delivered retardant and water, effectively cooling fire behavior. Aircraft will continue to support ground crews as needed, using Okanagan Lake as a water source. Watercraft operators are asked to stay clear.

  • Structure Protection: Specialists are deployed to protect properties.

    
    

• Road Updates:

  
  

• Highway 97 and Highway 97C have reopened, but Highway 97 between Buchanan Road and Drought Road may experience delays. Check DriveBC.ca for updates.

  
  

• Public Safety: Avoid areas where ground and air crews are operating to prevent interference. Drones are illegal near fire zones and pose a hazard to aircraft.

  
  

• EOC Actions: The Central Okanagan EOC is open, supporting incident command and ESS. An assessment of evacuation orders and alerts is underway, with updates expected later on July 31. Priorities include fire suppression, field assessments, resource allocation, and evaluating evacuation statuses.

For the latest information, visit CORDemergency.ca or follow official social media channels.

Here are links to the government agency posts and websites related to the Drought Hill wildfire

• Central Okanagan Emergency Operations: https://www.cordemergency.ca

• Emergency Info BC: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca

• BC Wildfire Service: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/wildfire-status

• DriveBC: https://www.drivebc.ca

• Emergency Support Services Self Registration: https://ess.gov.bc.ca

• PreparedBC: https://www.preparedbc.ca

• Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Facebook: https://facebook.com/CORDEmergency

• Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Twitter: https://twitter.com/CO_Emerg

• Kamloops Fire Centre Contact: 250-554-5965 or KFCINFO@gov.bc.ca