Ask West Kelowna
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Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023
As the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continues to do an outstanding job leading the McDougall Creek Wildfire management, the City of West Kelowna will continue to update the media and public on updates specific to our West Kelowna community. We anticipate issuing a daily news release today through Friday, even if there are very few changes to report. The City has also been issuing a daily Community Update, which is located here on the City’s website: westkelownacity.ca/citywildfire.
Cordemergency.ca remains the central source for all Evacuation Alerts and Evacuation Orders. The City sincerely thanks the public for adhering to all Alerts and Orders.
Today, West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund has provided the update below.
“Yesterday, Aug. 29, the McDougall Creek wildfire threatened our community in a new way," says West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund. “The transition from warm stable weather to cooler, wet days brought increased winds. By mid-morning yesterday, we learned that the transition could be more violent and accompanied by strong winds and low humidity. These factors were a recipe for increased fire behaviour.”
“The position of the wildfire in the Powers Creek drainage area means that it could move towards Glenrosa under these conditions. We were not going to take any risks and instead took decisive action to protect the community. The Evacuation Alert issued from the EOC was expanded to ensure the public was aware and prepared. Yesterday during the day, 28 fire apparatus and close to 125 firefighters were engaged on the ground in Glenrosa and Smith Creek. They came from across the Central and North Okanagan to our assistance and were supported by staff from the BC Wildfire Service. Their purpose was to prepare and defend the closest neighbourhoods to the fire and address any ember showers that were produced by the winds. Sprinklers were also installed and activated to protect the Powers Creek Water Treatment Plant.”
“Last night, five fire engines and 21 staff remained on the ground overnight. These staff were from West Kelowna, Peachland and Lake Country. The weather has worked in our favour in West Kelowna, with some rain falling overnight. 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.”
“Today, we are feeling better about the weather forecast and fire conditions in West Kelowna. However, this wildfire will be an ongoing threat in the Glenrosa area for a while to come. 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.”
“I urge the public to remain vigilant and alert today and, in the days ahead, always adhering to all Alerts and Orders issued by the EOC. We will continue to take decisive actions to protect the neighbourhoods threatened by the wildfire. Today, we will continue to focus on the safe return of evacuees to the most damaged neighbourhoods in West Kelowna. This is a process I expect to continue until early next week.”
For all Evacuation Alerts and Evacuation Orders visit cordemergency.ca or contact the information line at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free).
For information regarding City of West Kelowna services visit westkelownacity.ca/citywildfire or contact the City’s information line at 778-797-1234.
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