Properties lost, thousands evacuated as massive wildfire threatens Kelowna area

The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre will provide a news conference at 10:30 a.m and online streaming update for media about active fires in the region.

Representatives from local fire services, BC Wildfire Service, Interior Health and other agencies will be providing information. A question and answer session will follow.

Update 8:50 a.m. More properties on the west side of Okanagan Lake have been issued evacuation orders due to the McDougall Creek wildfire.

Central Okanagan Emergency said properties north of Nahun to, but not including, La Casa are now under Evacuation Order. Residents on Evacuation Order must leave the area immediately.

To ensure an orderly evacuation in these areas, please follow directions from emergency personnel. Public safety and the protection of critical infrastructure are the primary concerns at this time.

UPDATE: 2:30 a.m. Officials are confirming some structures have been lost due to the McDougall Creek wildfire which has been very active and unpredictable.

A full assessment of the areas affected will be undertaken in the morning.

A detailed update will be provided at 10am on Friday, August 18, 2023 by Emergency Officials. Log-in information for the livestreamed event will be posted on cordemergency.ca.

Currently 2,462 properties are under Evacuation Order and 4,801 properties are under evacuation alert for the McDougall Creek Wildfire.

All current orders and alerts remain in place and the public are reminded to stay out of the evacuation area as they are active fire zones. As per Transport Canada, drones are prohibited from flying over a forest fire area or any area located within five nautical miles of a forest fire area.

Residents under Evacuation Alert are advised to be ready to leave their home at a moment’s notice. They should prepare to be away from their home for an extended period of time, make arrangements for pets and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents.

Emergency Operations Centre staff are working with other response agencies to manage the situation and minimize the impacts. Public safety and the safety of emergency response personnel are the primary concerns at this time.

UPDATE: 9:10 p.m. McDougall Creek fire expands to 1,100 hectares, more evacuations

All properties along Westside Road from Traders Cove to Nahun are now under evacuation order due the McDougall Creek Wildfire.

Residents on Evacuation Order must leave the area immediately and evacuate northward on Westside Road towards Vernon.

Due to unpredictable fire behaviour, it is critical that all residents evacuate for their safety and the safety of first responders in the area.

All remaining properties in the Rose Valley neighbourhood north of Stevens Road, and West Kelowna Estates, are also now under Evacuation Order.

UPDATE: 7:10 p.m. More homes have been added to the evacuation orders for the McDougall Creek wildfire which is now estimated at 1,100 hectares.

That’s significant growth to the 300 hectares reported around 11 a.m. this morning for the fire burning about 10 km’s northwest of West Kelowna.

Click here for the latest from the BC Wildfire Service.

Central Okanagan Emergency says all properties in Sailview Bay, Raymer Bay, Bear Creek Provincial Park and Traders Cove are now under Evacuation Order.

UPDATE 5:40 p.m. Another 800 properties ordered out due to McDougall Creek fire

Another 800 properties have been placed on evacuation of the orders due to the McDougall Creek wildfire northwest of West Kelowna.

Of that total, 143 properties are in the Bartley Road area and 620 are in the Rose Valley area of West Kelowna

Tactical evacuations began around 5 p.m.

UPDATE: 1:30 p.m.
Evacuation orders and more alerts issued for McDougall Creek fire

A local state of emergency has been issued for the City of West Kelowna, a portion of Westbank First Nation and the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area due to the growing McDougall Creek wildfire.

The fire is currently estimated at 300 hectares and is classified as out of control.

An evacuation order has been issued for 68 properties formerly on alert. The order affects all properties accessed off of Bear Creek Road to the north of Parkinson Road (not including Parkinson Road).

A map of properties under Alert and Order can be found at cordemergency.ca or search by street address on the interactive map to determine if you are affected.

“Residents on evacuation order must leave the area immediately. To ensure an orderly evacuation of residents in these areas, please follow directions from emergency personnel. Public safety and the protection of critical infrastructure are the primary concerns at this time,” a news release from Central Okanagan Emergency stated.

Residents must be ready to leave their home at a moment’s notice and be prepared to be away from their home for an extended period of time. Get ready and make arrangements for pets and livestock and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents.

More than 5,700 properties have been placed on evacuation alert.

Bear Creek Provincial Park is also under an Evacuation Alert and campers are advised to be ready to leave the area. Recreation areas within West Kelowna and Central Okanagan West Electoral Area are under Evacuation Order and the public is asked to leave the area immediately.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW

by Vernon Matters Staff

Properties lost, thousands evacuated as massive wildfire threatens Kelowna area

More Local News