First property loss numbers revealed as wildfire fight continues

Officials have confirmed at least 50 properties have been lost in West Kelowna due to the McDougall Creek Wildfire. They have also outlined which neighborhoods have not experienced any losses.

The number of homes destroyed is expected to rise once the most devastated parts of the community are checked by specialists who are working their way through the charred streets dealing with hazards.

A total of 9,800 residents remain on evacuation order.

All the latest orders, alerts and maps can be found here.

McDougall Creek Wildfire

Officials said ‘excellent progress’ has been made on fighting the wildfire to the northwest of the community due to favourable weather but no evacuation orders are yet expected to be lifted in West Kelowna and the wildfire is still out of control.

“We continued to make very excellent progress over this last 24-hour period on that direct response to structure protection and infrastructure,” Jarrod Schroeder with the BC Wildfire Service told a media briefing Monday.

But he cautioned the continued heavy smoke would keep limiting their ability to get aircraft into the firefight.

West Kelowna firefight and recovery

Meanwhile, the heavy urban Canada Task Force 1 crew have been going through burnt neighborhoods assessing the damage and hazards, something that needs to be done before anyone from the evacuation zones can be allowed back.

That process could take a few more days still.

“Some of these hazards include downed power lines, unstable structures, dangerous trees, equipment and debris in the area, and hazardous materials,” Kari O’Rourke with the Emergency Operation Centre said.

The weather forecast calls for some rain in the next day or two and West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund said he was optimistic about that.

But again, he focused on the extraordinary efforts being made to save property in relentless, choking smoke.

“When I ask 10,000 of you to leave your homes, I feel like I owe it to you to tell you these stories and give you as much information as I possible can,” Brolund said.

He recounted how early Monday morning, dozens of firefighters coming back to the fire hall from their night shift last night “…were black, black because they were out there doing that hard grind, that hard work.”

He said many were putting in double duty because they were going back to work their regular jobs or businesses during the day.

Brolund also told how one of their firefighters was scheduled to become a Canadian citizen today but couldn’t make the ceremony because they’re actively involved in the firefighting.

“He’s going to do it [the ceremony] by Zoom, from the front lines,” Brolund explained. “I don’t know where he’s from but what I do know he’s going to be from Canada. And that just gives me goosebumps.”

No return home yet

The biggest question remains when can the thousands of evacuees return home. Brolund insisted that process must be done systematically and correctly.

“We don’t send you into a place that’s not safe to be,” he said. “In going through these neighborhoods we’re finding addresses just aren’t on the buildings, in some cases the buildings are gone, in some cases the street signs are melted so correlating street names to maps is a challenge.” He added in some instances the roads are damaged.

Brolund announced the areas in West Kelowna that has sustained no property damage, while acknowledging this would not bring comfort to others: Smith Creek, Tallus Ridge, Shannon Lake, Lenz Road trailer park and Rose Valley.

Kelowna

Kelowna Fire Chief Travis Whiting said five homes had been lost in the city due to the Clifton/McKinley Wildfire, and those on evacuation order would have to wait at least another day for the all clear.

There had been active flames in some areas overnight but he said there was no increase of risk and there had been continuing subdued fire activity due to the lack of wind. Crews continue to secure and cool the perimeter and the fires remain active, he said.

“We won’t be having people going back home for the next day or so for sure,” he said.

Security and policing

Kelowna RCMP Inspector Kara Triance said there have been reports on social media about suspicious activity in the evacuation zones, or people seen who should not be there, but there have been no confirmed incidents of break and enters.

Police followed up on reports and learned some people were trying to sneak back into their properties to collect belongings but highlighted how risky that was for them and emergency personnel.

Triance said police remain stationed at key streets and are doing patrols and she reminded the public to report anything suspicious directly to police and not via social media.

Lake Country

Meanwhile, Lake Country Fire Chief Darren Lee confirmed two to three properties were lost with several more damaged. Crews are actively working on hot spots and efforts to cool down the perimeter of the fire.