(UPDATE: Aug. 28 @ 5:03 am) - BC Hydro is now listing the outage as resolved.
In a general update late last night, meanwhile, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations said the evacuation alert for properties affected by the Peachland Creek wildfire would remain place.
That's while crews "mop up" the fire and assess trees for potential danger, the update said.
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In its most recent update, BC Wildfire Service said the wildfire, believed to have been caused by a crashed motorhome, was still being held at 1.4 hectares.
A separate fire just southwest of the Peachland Creek blaze, however, is listed as out of control at 0.4 hectares.
That fire is within the boundaries of Darke Lake Park.
With the heat wave in the province expected to persist, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations said in its note last night that residents should "stay cool and hydrated."
It added that Hwy 97 in Peachland between Hardy Street and Renfrew Road are expected to see "traffic interruptions" as fire crews continue their work.
(UPDATE: Aug. 27 @ 3:20 pm) - Power has been restored for hundreds of homes in Peachland after the overnight wildfire alongside Hwy 97.
There were 677 properties without power since around 11 pm Tuesday night, but that number was decreased to 54 in an update just after 3 pm today.
Unfortunately, it looks like those remaining properties on Bulyea Avenue, Sherburn Road, Ferguson Place, Stuart Park Crescent South and Renfrew Road could be without power for a while.
BC Hydro says "damage is extensive" and multiple crews will need to be brought to the site to replacement infrastructure like power poles.
At this time, there's no estimate as to when power will be restored to the remaining 54 properties.
(UPDATE: Aug. 27 @ 9:20 am) - The RCMP says a motorhome is to blame for the small wildfire that sparked in Peachland late Tuesday night.
Police were called to the scene of the single-vehicle accident near Antlers Beach around 10:25 pm.
According to an RCMP release, the motorhome was travelling northbound on Hwy 97 when it crashed off the roadway and came to rest down an embankment.
It caught fire and was quickly engulfed in flames, which spread to the surrounding hillside. Fortunately, the driver, who was the only person inside the recreational vehicle, safely escaped.
Fire crews from Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna and the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) quickly actioned the fire, which is now being held at 1.4 hectares.
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Some tactical evacuations were made, but swift actions from firefighters prevented the blaze from spreading toward nearby homes and infrastructure. Residents have since been given the green light to go home.
"Thanks to the quick response of the fire departments and the BCWS, a potentially much larger incident was prevented," Cpl. Devon Gerrits explained through a media release.
"We are grateful that the driver was able to escape unharmed and that no further injuries were reported."
Police continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the motorhome crashing off the highway and are asking any witnesses, or motorists with relevant dash cam footage, to call the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.
Hwy 97 was affected overnight but has since fully reopened.
Emergency officials said powerlines "have been compromised" as a result of the fire and BC Hydro reports that the power remains out for 677 properties in the area.
(UPDATE: Aug. 27 at 8:45 am): Hwy 97 is now clear, according to DriveBC.
NowMedia is waiting on a response from the RCMP about the vehicle fire.
✅CLEAR - #BCHwy97 after earlier vehicle fire between Princeton Ave & Brent Rd. #Peachland
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) August 27, 2025
(Original story: Aug. 27 at 5:25 am): Dozens of properties were “tactically evacuated” in Peachland last night due to a new wildfire.
They have now been told they can return to their homes, however, though they remain on evacuation alert.
Hwy 97 is down to single-lane alternating traffic, with DriveBC blaming a vehicle fire.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, the fire is now being held at 1.4 hectares. It was discovered this morning, according to the agency, and is believed to have been caused by humans.
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations said in a bulletin sent a little after midnight today that the approximately 58 properties were at risk from the Peachland Creek Wildfire.
The affected homes are in the areas of Renfrew Road, Ferguson Place, Sherburn Road and Stuart Crescent South.
Residents were sent to the Peachland Community Centre.
Later in the morning, at around 3 am, emergency officials said residents could return to the evacuated homes, with the following properties put on evacuation alert:
All addresses on Stuart Crescent
All addresses on Sherburn Road
All addresses on Ferguson Road
6532 - 6642 Renfrew Road
6575, 6602, 6633 and 6696 Hwy 97
All units located at 6663 Hwy 97
Hwy 97 from Hardy Street extending one kilometre north
They also said that power lines “have been compromised” in the area, with power outages coming as a consequence.
⚠️ICYMI #BCHwy97 - The highway is open to single lane alternating traffic following a vehicle fire. Watch for flaggers between Princeton Avenue and Brent Road. Expect delays in the area. #PeachlandBC #SummerlandBC #WestKelownaBC #BCHwy97C
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) August 27, 2025
ℹ️For more info:https://t.co/PuZTmApZOR pic.twitter.com/iHh8NK8ml0
According to BC Hydro, there are 677 properties without power as of this morning. The corporation said it has crews on site.
Emergency officials said traffic along Hwy 97 between Hardy Street and Renfrew Road “will be affected throughout the day as hot spots are actioned by fire crew.”
They also warned that smoke will be visible in the area as the fire continues to burn.
An update is expected this afternoon.
