Firefighting crews in West Kelowna expect to be working on the McDougall Creek Wildfire for weeks to come.
Image Credit: Facebook/BC Wildfire Service
August 31, 2023 - 11:24 AM
There was increased fire activity from the McDougall Creek Wildfire overnight, Aug. 31, in the Powers Creek drainage area of West Kelowna.
“While rain through the night and cooler temperatures are assisting crews, firefighting efforts are expected to continue over the coming weeks,” say a Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Center news release issued today, Aug. 31.
The fire is now estimated at 13,712 ha with the latest growth being the result of controlled burns in the Powers Creek drainage.
Fire activity is expected to continue in the drainage today due to sustained winds from the northwest, the release said.
“Yesterday, structure protection personnel completed a structural defense plan for the community of Glenrosa and three heavy equipment task force teams continue to work in the area,” the release says. “Over the past 72 hours, crews have also focused on extinguishing hot spots adjacent to properties along Westside Road.”
Bus tours for residents whose homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable have started.
“Bus visits continue to be scheduled over the coming days and property owners are being contacted directly in a tiered process with details on visit opportunities and schedules,” the release says.
Those whose homes are in the evacuation order areas but were not significantly damaged, or not damaged at all, won’t be able to return for quite some time yet.
READ MORE: Why some evacuated West Kelowna residents are still waiting to go home
“One of the challenges crews are addressing are power outages within affected areas,” news release says. “The McDougall Creek wildfire caused significant damage to the electrical infrastructure in the area with approximately 27 kilometres of power lines, 359 poles and 66 pieces of other equipment needing to be replaced.”
There are an estimated 487 properties under evacuation order with 307 in the rural area north of West Kelowna, 142 in West Kelowna and 38 in Westbank First Nation. Another 20,029 properties are on evacuation alert.
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