Lake Okanagan Resort was one of the areas seriously damaged by the McDougall Creek Wildfire.
Image Credit: Tony Roberts, Facebook
August 30, 2023 - 12:53 PM
Hundreds of West Kelowna residents still under evacuation order won't be going home to harder hit areas until the owners of severely damaged or lost homes can be shown the area.
That means, for some whose homes have survived, it may be weeks before they can even see them again. Instead, they have to wait for a bus tour so those affected can be the first to view the devastation.
A news release says today, they are just beginning that process to contact those residents "with details on visit opportunities and schedules."
"Residents will receive a phone call followed by an individual invitation to attend a bus visit," a news release from the Operations Centre says. "Only those whose properties have sustained a total loss or properties damaged to the point they cannot be occupied at this time will be able to participate. This process is to ensure those that have received devastating news have the privacy, time and space to be the first to see their properties."
The same consideration is not being given to those whose homes are partially damaged or even totally undamaged.
"We understand this is a stressful situation for property owners," the news release says. "Those whose properties have sustained some damage but will be safe for a return home when orders are lifted will not be contacted and will not be participating in visits."
It’s unclear how many homes were destroyed.
All the Emergency Operations Centre has said to the media is that there has been structural damage to 189 properties with little indication of where.
READ MORE: Almost 2,400 still evacuated and 240 homes seriously damaged by West Kelowna wildfire
As of this morning, Aug. 30, an estimated 487 properties were still under evacuation order. Most of those are in the lower streets of West Kelowna Estates and north along Westside Road almost to Fintry.
Only two people per property will be allowed to participate in the bus tours. They will not be able to leave the bus and not all properties will be visible. For example, homes with long and inaccessible driveways will not be viewed, the news release says.
"All evacuation orders remain in place," the news release says. "A plan for phased re-entry is underway, however some areas with extensive damage may remain under evacuation order until hazards are mitigated and power is restored. Restoring services to heavily-damaged neighbourhoods may take up to a few weeks."
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