'We were not going to take any risks': Dozens of firefighters gather in West Kelowna neighbourhood amid shift in weather
West Kelowna residents were put on edge Tuesday as an evacuation alert was expanded and several firefighters arrived in the area in anticipation of potential increased wildfire behaviour brought on by strong winds.
“Yesterday, Aug. 29, the McDougall Creek wildfire threatened our community in a new way,” West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund said in an update Wednesday. He explained the transition from warm, stable weather to cooler, wetter days was accompanied by strong winds and low humidity—a recipe for increased fire behaviour.
Thankfully, the weather worked in crews’ favour, with some rain falling overnight, Brolund said. And the fire did not affect any additional homes, according an update from Central Okanagan Emergency Operations.
“The fire remains in its current position, with less activity overnight. We are grateful for the assistance of our neighbouring fire departments who quickly came when we called and remain as needed,” he said.
On Tuesday, 28 fire apparatus and nearly 125 firefighters from across the Okanagan gathered in Glenrosa and Smith Creek, ready to defend neighbourhoods and address any ember showers. Five fire engines and 21 staff kept guard overnight.
“We were not going to take any risks and instead took decisive action to protect the community,” Brolund continued.
On Wednesday, crews are feeling better about the weather forecast and fire conditions in West Kelowna, but the blaze will be an ongoing threat to the Glenrosa area “for a while to come,” he added.
“For just how long, we cannot predict with active weather. A large amount of wildfire remains just behind our West Kelowna community. The rain last night and in the coming days will help, but it will not put the fire out.”
On Wednesday, an estimated 487 properties in West Kelowna remained on evacuation order, with 21,700 under evacuation alert, according to Central Okanagan Emergency Operations.
It could be weeks before everyone can return home, according to the EOC, as neighbourhoods with extensive damage may need to remain under evacuation order until hazards such as downed power lines and dangerous trees are removed, and power is turned back on.
BUS VISITS PLANNED
On Wednesday, the EOC said it is contacting those who lost their homes, or had homes damaged to the point they’re uninhabitable, to schedule escorted bus visits that will let them see the damage first-hand.
“This process is to ensure those that have received devastating news have the privacy, time and space to be the first to see their properties,” it said in an update.
“Bus visits are being offered to allow affected homeowners to access and view their property before issuing further evacuation order and alert rescindments for the broader neighbourhood,” the EOC continued.
It said EOC staff, Mounties and mental health professionals will accompany property owners on the tours.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Another bumpy week ahead as Trudeau faces deadlines from Liberal MPs, Bloc
Another week, another raft of imminent challenges to Justin Trudeau's leadership of both the country and the Liberal Party.
Here's when you need to change your clock back
Millions of Canadians will notice their clocks turn back by one hour on Nov. 3, marking the end of daylight saving time this year.
How to make sure your used clothes go to the right place – and not to organized crime
Giving away used clothes for a second life feels like an act of charity – and it often is. But it’s become more complicated. A W5 investigation has discovered allegations that organized crime players are muscling in on charities to access their donation bins.
He lost a finger and survived a kidnapping. Then, this climber took on a 9,000-foot 'death-trap'
With jaw-dropping big wall ascents and a life packed with adrenaline and adventure, climber Tommy Caldwell has had a career worthy of – and captured by – a feature film.
B.C. election results: Recounts set to begin Sunday
Recounts will begin Sunday afternoon in two ridings where candidates were separated by fewer than 100 votes following the initial count in the B.C. election.
ANALYSIS Iran faces tough choices in deciding how to respond to Israeli strikes
How Iran chooses to respond could determine whether the region spirals further toward all-out war or holds steady at an already destabilizing level of violence.
Trump refers to CNN's Anderson Cooper by a woman's first name
Former U.S. president Donald Trump has repeatedly referred to CNN anchor Anderson Cooper with a woman's first name in recent days as the Republican presidential nominee focuses his closing message on a hypermasculine appeal to men.
Gold prices have surged in 2024. Here’s how to get in on the gold rush
Not all that glitters is gold, but the value of the precious metal has been surging this year.
Vehicle rams into crowd outside Mexico cathedral, injures 16
A vehicle rammed into a crowd outside a cathedral in Mexico and injured at least 16 people Saturday night, local authorities said.