Operations update for the McDougall Creek Wildfire
Central Okanagan, B.C. – BC Wildfire and local fire departments continue to respond to the McDougall Creek wildfire, currently at an estimated 13,712.3 hectares and still classified as Out of Control. Only very minimal amounts of precipitation (<1 mm) have been received over the past 24-hours. Along the west and southwest flanks, the wildfire is still actively burning. West Kelowna Fire Department and RDCO Fire Services are in regular contact with BC Wildfire Service to ensure appropriate resources are allocated to the wildfire at all times.
Current resources
BC Wildfire Service currently has the following resources allocated toward fighting the McDougall Creek Wildfire:
- 11 helicopters
- 262 firefighters
- 29 operational staff
- 6 structure protection personnel
- 48 pieces of heavy equipment
- Incident Management Team
BC Hydro technicians and RCMP are also working throughout the day.
In West Kelowna, safe access and egress routes for ground personnel have been established into the Powers Creek drainage area. Rappel crews completed helipad construction north of Powers Creek Drainage and heavy equipment worked along the Smith Creek Road to ensure it was safe for ground crews to traverse. This will allow crews to safely engage in direct attack methods above Glenrosa.
In RDCO Electoral Area West, hand crews are mopping up from the 11-kilometre marker on the Bear Main Forest Service Road working towards Hidden Creek Forest Service Road, as well as working from Bald Range to Terrace Road. As conditions allow all remaining fuels between the fire’s edge and the machine guard will be removed by hand crews. Crews will utilize small-scale hand ignition operations to clean up the fire’s edge and remove any small pockets of fuel that remain.
Evacuation Alerts & Orders
As of 7 a.m., it is estimated that 463 properties are under Evacuation Order, while 20,053 properties are under Evacuation Alert. Of the properties on Evacuation Order, 283 are within RDCO Electoral Area West, 142 are within the City of West Kelowna and 38 are within Westbank First Nation.
In the last 24 hours, the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) downgraded the Evacuation Order for 24 properties in the RDCO Electoral Area West between La Casa, heading south to 4017 Westside Road.
It’s important for residents to know that those in the areas hardest hit by the fire will be on Evacuation Order longer. Crews are working diligently to remove hazards, restore infrastructure and reduce fire risk to make areas safe to return to.
The public is reminded, for their safety and that of fire crews, not to enter areas under an Evacuation Order. Many areas still exist where active firefighting is underway and ongoing dangers like downed power lines, hazardous materials, damaged trees, debris and equipment pose risks.
As Evacuation Orders are downgraded, residents returning home can access frequently asked questions and other resources at cordemergency.ca to aid in a safe return.
Area Restriction Order
The BC Wildfire Service has implemented an Area Restriction Order within the vicinity of the McDougall Creek wildfire, located adjacent to West Kelowna. This Order has been in effect since 12 p.m. on Aug. 25, 2023, and remains in force until 12 p.m. PDT on Sept 8, 2023, or until the Order is rescinded.
Today and through the long weekend, Conservation Officers will be enforcing the McDougall Creek wildfire Area Restriction Order. Failure to comply with the restriction area requirements may result in a violation ticket of $1,150. More information and a map of the area is available on the BC Government website.
Bus visits for residents experiencing property loss
Last night, additional bus visits occurred for residents whose properties have sustained a total loss or properties damaged to the point they cannot be occupied at this time. 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. For more information view the Bus visits for residents who have lost properties news release, issued on Aug. 30, 2023.
Residents are asked to stay up to date through the CORD emergency site and subscribe to receive e-updates.
For more information, contact the information line at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free).
For municipal and local government information such as landfill and transfer station hours, water restrictions, boat launch, park and road closures, visit their websites:
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