The McDougall Creek wildfire as seen from Brookside Avenue in Kelowna shortly after 6 p.m. Aug. 17, 2023.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Tiffany Weiss
Republished August 17, 2023 - 9:38 PM
Original Publication Date August 17, 2023 - 2:09 PM
UPDATE: 9:34 p.m. Aug. 17, 2023
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations has expanded the evacuation order again to include all remaining properties in the Rose Valley neighbourhood north of Stevens Road, and West Kelowna Estates.
Visit cordemergency.ca for the latest information on specific addresses, alerts and orders.
UPDATE: 7:06 p.m. Aug. 17, 2023
Evacuation orders for the McDougall Creek wildfire have expanded again, this time northeast of the last order.
All properties in Sailview Bay, Raymer Bay, Bear Creek Provincial Park, and Traders Cove are now under Evacuation Order due the McDougall Creek Wildfire.
BC Wildfire says the fire is roughly 1,100 ha, up from 300 ha earlier today. Strong winds are expected tonight.
Go here for the latest information and specific information.
UPDATE: 5:44 p.m. Aug. 17, 2023
More than 800 more West Kelowna properties are being evacuated due to the McDougall Creek wildfire burning north of the city.
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says a tactical evacuation has already begun in the Rose Valley and Bartley Road area.
Go here to get the latest information including specific addresses under evacuation order.
UPDATE: 3:31 p.m. Aug. 17, 2023
Evacuation orders have been issued for 68 properties due to the rapidly growing McDougall Creek wildfire.
All properties accessed off of Bear Creek Road to the north of Parkinson Road (not including Parkinson Road) are included in the order from the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre.
Evacuation alerts have also been expanded to include areas north of Traders Cove up to and including Caesars Landing.
There are now more than 5,700 properties under evacuation alerts or orders. That number was increased by 964 just before 3:30 p.m. for properties north of Traders Cove up to and including Caesars Landing, bringing the total number of affected properties to about 6,700.
Bear Creek Provincial Park is also under an evacuation alert.
A map of affected areas can be seen here.
A local state of emergency has been declared for the City of West Kelowna, parts of Westbank First Nation and the rural area north of West Kelowna.
The fire, which was at 64 hectares yesterday, Aug. 16, is now more than 300 ha. Strong and erratic winds are expected to cause firefighters difficulties when they blow in this evening.
READ MORE: Heat, heavy smoke, wind and dry lightning expected today throughout the Southern Interior
“Residents on evacuation order must leave the area immediately,” the emergency operations centre said.
Those covered by alerts should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
Evacuees are asked to register online here or attend the Information Centre at Royal LePage Place, 2760 Cameron Road in West Kelowna.
A public information line is available at 250-469-8490 or 1-877-569-8490.
— This article was updated at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 17, 2023 to include information on additional evacuation alerts.
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