KELOWNA, B.C. — A state of emergency has been declared in Kelowna, a city with a population of about 150,000, as threatening wildfires prompt officials to issue evacuation orders in parts of British Columbia’s Okanagan.
Here are the latest developments on the B.C. wildfires (all times are PT):
10:54 a.m.
Homes are ablaze in West Kelowna, B.C., after an overnight battle with a wildfire.
Jason Brolund, chief of the West Kelowna fire department, says the blaze has been “exponentially worse” than expected.
Brolund says first responders became trapped rescuing people who failed to heed evacuation warnings as the McDougall Creek wildfire advanced rapidly towards the community, in what he says was a firefighter’s “worst nightmare.”
However, Central Okanagan Regional District Chairman Loyal Woodridge says there has been no known loss of life.
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10:28 a.m.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has issued an evacuation order for several dozen properties in a rural area northeast of Keremeos.
The BC Wildfire Service says the Crater Creek wildfire, which has merged with another blaze, now spans 220-square kilometres near Cathedral Provincial Park.
The park is subject to an evacuation order, and the service says the fire is burning in steep and dangerous terrain, posing risks and challenges for firefighters.
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9:01 a.m.
BC Wildfire Service says the fast-burning McDougall Creek blaze grew six times its size overnight.
The fire has now scorched 68 square kilometres of land, up from 11 square kilometres on Thursday.
Meanwhile, evacuation orders have been expanded to include the Clifton and McKinley areas north of Kelowna’s downtown.
Thousands of properties are under evacuation orders as the City of West Kelowna and the Westbank First Nation have declared local states of emergency.
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8:19 a.m.
British Columbia’s travel information system says Highway 1 is closed for a stretch of about 15 kilometres between the communities of Hope and Lytton, both of which are under threat from wildfires.
DriveBC says the closure will remain in place until later this morning.
It says Highway 97 is closed in both directions for a stretch of about 63 kilometres between the communities of Coldstream and Peachland.
DriveBC says Highway 97 is also closed for about 14 kilometres between Kelowna and West Kelowna because of wildfires.
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7:45 a.m.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre is asking evacuees to register through B.C.’s provincial portal: ess.gov.bc.ca
The centre is also encouraging evacuees to stay with family and friends as most shelters are full.
It is asking residents to use an interactive map on the portal to learn whether their homes are under an evacuation order or alert.
The centre says the McDougall Creek wildfire remains very active and unpredictable.
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7:11 a.m.
About 11 square kilometres of land have been scorched in the northwest area of West Kelowna.
The BC Wildfire Service says the McDougall Creek wildfire is not responding to suppression efforts.
Currently, more than 2,400 properties are under evacuation orders and more than 4,800 properties are under alert as firefighters battle the McDougall Creek blaze.
More than 1,800 wildfires have burned about 16,100 square kilometres of land in B.C. since April 1, and there are more than 360 active fires burning across the province.
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6:42 a.m.
Environment Canada says a special weather statement is in effect for the Okanagan Valley and parts of Interior B.C.
It says strong, gusty winds shifting from the southwest to northwest bring with them a risk of thunderstorms and dry lightning in the Okanagan Valley.
It says there is a possibility for worsening wildfire conditions, new fire starts, risk of breaking tree branches, and challenging boating conditions.
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6:21 a.m.
The City of Kelowna, in the Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia, has declared a state of emergency.
Firefighters are responding to spot fires coming across Okanagan Lake from the McDougall Creek wildfire.
Evacuation orders have been expanded as 143 properties in the Bartley Road area and 620 properties in the Rose Valley area of West Kelowna are asked to leave due to the McDougall Creek wildfire.
Firefighters have reported loss of structures in West Kelowna, and say a full assessment of the areas affected will be undertaken in the morning.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 18, 2023.
The Canadian Press
