Crews responding to wildfire on Knox Mountain in Kelowna

A wildfire is burning on Knox Mountain in Kelowna.

Ground crews with B.C. Wildfire are currently en route to assist members of the Kelowna Fire Department, according to fire information officer Aiden Coray.

Central Okanagan Emergency Operations has placed residents living in the the Knox Mountain and Poplar Point areas under evacuation order and are being told to leave immediately.

“RCMP and COSAR are assisting with tactical evacuations in the areas of Poplar Point, north of Knox Mountain Park Drive, including Knox Mountain Park,” according to an email from the City of Kelowna. “An Evacuation Alert is in place for the remainder of Clifton Road area and the community of  Wilden to Upper Canyon Drive north to Union Drive.”

Members of the Kelowna RCMP are asking members of the public the say away from the area.

“In order to keep everyone safe as fire suppressant teams are deployed and tactical evacuation efforts are underway, we are asking everyone to stay away from Knox Mountain area and the Magic Estate area”, Cpl. Judith Bertrand said in an RCMP media release.

A message left the Kelowna Fire Department was not immediately returned.

—Story updated at 3:30 p.m. with information from the Kelowna RCMP.

—Story updated at 5:05 p.m. with information from the City of Kelowna.

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