Updated: Highway 33 has reopened to two-lane traffic. Keep an eye out for flaggers and modified speed limit.
(1:47 PM)
The Philpott Road Fire has not changed much in the last 24 hours. It's currently about 465 hectares in size and only 20% contained according to Noelle Kekula with the BC Wildfire Service.
About 186 residents are being allowed back home today, while another 194 are still on an evacuation order.
The properties that are no longer on an evacuation order are:
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre says those that are allowed to go back home can only bring household pets, such as dogs and cats, as they're under an evacuation alert and should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
The Emergency Support Services reception centre at Willow Park Church, 439 Highway 33 West in Kelowna, will be open from 4 to 6 p.m. today.
Kekula says 95 firefighters, 4 helicopters and 15 pieces of equipment are working on the fire today.
Crews have established a guard surrounding most of the fire but there's still fire fuel between the perimeter of the fire and the control line, which they’ll be working on clearing today.
With winds of up to 40km/hr expected today, Kekula says they’re also keeping a close eye on the weather.
Highway 33 has also been closed again in both directions. McCulloch Road can be used as a detour.