Huckleberry fire east of Kelowna, B.C. leads to evacuations
Evacuations have been ordered for the Huckleberry fire in Joe Rich, east of Kelowna, B.C.
The fire, which started Friday afternoon, has grown to 80 hectares. The Central Okanagan Regional District has issued an evacuation order for residents along Huckleberry Road, between the intersections of Goudie Road and Sun Valley Road, as well as residents along Jack Pine Road in the Joe Rich area.
Residents on Goudie Road and Sun Valley Road are on Evacuation Alert and should be prepared to leave their homes on a moments notice.
Emergency crews, air crafts and helicopters are at the scene of the grass fire, which is sending a thick plume of smoke into the air. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
RCMP are requesting that motorists avoid the area along Highway 33 East in 5900 block.
Joanne Little, who lives about one kilometre from the fire, says the smoke and fire is scary. It appears to be burning up a nearby mountain, and she can see helicopters flying around it.
