Update (7:40 pm):
Highway 33 will stay closed overnight between Gallagher Road and Big White Road, as firefighters stay on the scene of the Philpott Road wildfire.
A detour has been set up on McCulloch Road for non-commercial passenger vehicles, who have a need to travel through the area.
The evacuation order is holding steady for 1100 people in 474 properties, with the fire burning at 380 hectares.
A reception centre for evacuees at Willow Park Church on Highway 33 will close at 10 pm tonight, and re-open at 10 am Friday morning.
Update (6:30 pm):
BC Wildfire has confirmed the fire has grown to 380 hectares.
Along with local fire crews from Joe Rich, Kelowna, Ellison, Lake Country, Coldstream, Swan Lake, and Armstrong, 7 provincial firefighters are at the scene, with another 12 en route.
As well, firefighting helicopters and airplanes will work up until dark tonight.
Update (5:00 pm):
About 474 properties are under an evacuation order as a result of the Joe Rich wildfire.
The boundaries of the evacuation order span from Walker Hill on the Highway 33 western boundary of Kelowna, to Big White Road to the east and Mission Creek and Joe Rich Creek along the south.
About 1100 people are being forced out of their homes as a result.
Firefighters from the Joe Rich, Kelowna, Ellison and Lake Country departments are involved in fighting the blaze that was reported shortly after 1:30 this afternoon.
Melanie Moran from the BC Wildfire Service says they've sent crews as well.
"The fire is estimated to be 150 hectares in size, and out of control at this time," she said.
"We have initial attack resources, as well as air support either en route, or arriving as we speak. Structures are in the vicinity, and the nearest threatened are approximately 3 km away."
A reception centre is being set up at Willow Park Church on Highway 33, and has opened as of 5:00 tonight.
Highway 33 has been shut down at the Gallaghers Road/Black Mountain Drive intersection out to Big White Road.
Kelowna RCMP have now confirmed an evacuation is being conducted for the following steets:
FortisBC has also confirmed that power has been cut for about 2500 customers in the area, as crews continue to fight the fire.
For ongoing updates and a map of the evacuated area, click here.
(2:00 pm):
Local firefighters are currently battling a grass fire, near the intersection of Highway 33 and Philpott Forest Service Road.
The fire is being described as a Rank 3, which is defined as a surface fire that's spreading at a moderate rate of speed.
Local emergency officials are starting to lead an evacuation of roughly 20 people who are living close to the area.
Crews from Kelowna and area are being called in to assist the Joe Rich fire department.
No official word yet on cause.