Firefighters battle wildfire east of Kelowna- Highway 33 closed

Aug 25, 2017 | 5:12 AM

KELOWNA — At last word, the Joe Rich fire east of Kelowna was estimated at 380 hectares in size.
 
There’s no word yet this morning if it grew overnight.
 
Roughly 11 hundred people from 474 properties were evacuated from the area after the fire broke out yesterday afternoon.
 
Fire fighters  from 10 departments up and down the valley showed up to help and BC Wildfire sent in additional crews, equipment, 4 helicopters and air tankers.
 
Water trucks have had to bring in water as there are no hydrants in the fire area.
 
Structural firefighters from five Central Okanagan departments and ten other fire departments across the Okanagan and interior monitored  the fire overnight, attacking hotspots.
 
They’re being supported on the ground by BC Wildfire Service firefighters.
 
At this point, there is no report of any structures having been  burned.
 
Highway 33 remained closed overnight from the Gallaghers Road intersection on the City of Kelowna to Big White Road.