Flights to resume at Kelowna airport following temporary grounding due to wildfire-induced airspace disruption.
In the heart of British Columbia, the Whelan Creek wildfire continues to pose a significant risk to homes east of Kelowna International Airport. As of July 7, 2025, an evacuation order and alerts have been issued in the Ellison area of Kelowna.
The RCMP is actively conducting "tactical evacuations" of homes in the affected area, with seven specific residences on Rockface Road and Dead Pine Drive under an evacuation order. These residents must evacuate their homes overnight and are currently required to be away from their properties. An evacuation alert has been issued for 106 other addresses in the region, with residents under alert being prepared to leave at a moment’s notice as the fire continues to burn east of the airport.
The BC Wildfire Service reports the Whelan Creek wildfire is approximately 4.31 hectares in size and currently being held, meaning it is not growing but remains active. This active management, however, does not eliminate the risk to homes in the area.
The Kelowna Fire Department is on-scene working to contain the fire, and FortisBC has shut off power to customers in the area to aid firefighting efforts. The airspace reopened to commercial flights around 9 p.m. on Sunday, allowing flights waiting to depart to launch and for ongoing operations.
Residents in these affected areas are urged to monitor updates closely and be ready to evacuate if necessary. The Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre lists 7 addresses on evacuation order and 106 on evacuation alert. Police advise the public in those areas above Ellison to leave as a precaution.
Meanwhile, the Izman Creek wildfire near Lytton is burning 245 hectares, but the current focus remains on the Whelan Creek wildfire and its impact on the Kelowna community. It is not yet known whether the fire will reach the lakes, but there are limited access roads for evacuation from the surrounding forested areas.
Flight schedules are dependent on the airline, and passengers are asked to contact their airline for the most up-to-date information. As of Sunday evening, there are 82 active wildfires across the province, 21 of which were classified as out of control.
The Whelan Creek fire in the Ellison area, east of Kelowna's airport, is affecting Rockface Road, Upper Booth Road, and Dead Pine Road. The situation remains fluid, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
- In addition to the Whelan Creek wildfire, the Izman Creek wildfire near Lytton is currently burning 245 hectares, bringing the total number of active wildfires in British Columbia to 82 as of Sunday evening.
- General news reports indicate that apart from 'crime-and-justice' updates, weather advisories, and wildfire updates – such as the ongoing Whelan Creek wildfire in the Ellison area, east of Keltona's airport – there are also alerts for severe weather conditions across parts of the province.
