RCMP urging Joe Rich properties owners to stay out.
With the Philpott Road Wildfire evacuated areas, as with any evacuated areas, we are advising the public that for your own safety, to stay out until you are notified that it is safe to return.
Our officers will continue to provide support where required to ensure that considerations for personal safety and property protection are met.
It is important to remember when an evacuation order is issued, it is done in consultation with numerous stakeholders and is done only when there is a real and significant danger to people’s lives.
Police appreciate continued patience and cooperation from residents of evacuated communities. Your safety remains a priority for us.
RCMP officers deployed to the Philpott Road Wildfire in east Kelowna are presently working closely with the volunteer Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT), formally known as CDART, to aid in the further safe evacuation of animals and livestock from within the Joe Riche area currently under an evacuation order.
RCMP ask for the public's patience and understanding. Any requests made to attend properties to evacuate animals will be evaluated on a case by case basis, depending on fire activity and RCMP resources and availability. Those requests will be evaluated at the RCMP checkpoints on Highway 33.
We can confirm that the RCMP was able to escort a number of animal owners to their properties today, who came prepared with the correct equipment to transport their animals out in a safe manner. Residents should be advised that access to the Philpott Road area itself is not permitted at this time, due to significant risks to public safety.