Planned ignitions and operational update for McDougall Creek wildfire
Central Okanagan, B.C. – An estimated 405 properties remain under Evacuation Order and 12,303 on Evacuation Alert for the areas of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and Regional District of Central Okanagan. Currently there are 283 on Evacuation Order within RDCO Electoral Area West and 122 within the City of West Kelowna. Evacuation Order and Alert areas can be confirmed at cordemergency.ca/map. As Evacuation Orders are downgraded, residents can prepare to return home by visiting resources online to help make a safe return: cordemergency.ca/resources.
Safe re-entry into neighbourhoods continues to be a priority. As critical infrastructure, such as hydro, gas and water treatment, is restored and dangerous trees and other hazardous materials are removed on public property, Evacuation Orders will be downgraded. The public is reminded they are not allowed to enter areas under an Evacuation Order by land, water, or air for safety of everyone.
Today, temporary access within the Evacuation Order area for Traders Cove/Pine Point neighbourhoods is open for residents from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to retrieve important items. An additional update is expected later today to report which properties in the Wilson’s Landing areas will be allowed temporary access tomorrow, if conditions allow.
Residents that unfortunately missed their temporary access window will not be able to access their properties until Evacuation Orders are downgraded. This allows crews in wildfire affected areas to make headway, which will help bring residents home as soon as possible. Residents are strongly encouraged to stay up to date through the cordmergency.ca and subscribe to receive alerts and news updates to your email inbox.
Current situation
BC Wildfire conducted another successful planned ignition operation on the southwest flank of the McDougall Creek wildfire, removing 350-hectares of fuels from the north and northwest to the west side of Carrot Mountain, adjacent to the Powers Creek Drainage. This operation effectively brought the fire down to constructed containment line where crews can safely and effectively extinguish the fire’s edge over the coming days.
Over the past 10 days a tremendous amount of work has been completed to successfully prevent the wildfire from entering the Powers Creek drainage. Both of these planned ignition operations have been critical in reducing the threat of the McDougall Creek wildfire to adjacent communities.
Other aerial and hand ignition tactics to remove unburnt fuel is planned if conditions allow. This operation will be supported by ground crews, heavy equipment and aerial resources working from previously established machine guard along the fire perimeter.
Area Restrictions
The McDougall Creek wildfire Area Restriction implemented on August 25, remains in force until noon on September 8, 2023, with the possibility of an extension. More information will be announced by BC Wildfire. View the map: https://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcwildfire/area-restriction-implemented-for-the-mcdougall-creek-wildfire-k52767
Enforcement of the Area Restriction continues to be a challenge as members of the public are still being reported in the area, attempting to access properties by boat from Okanagan Lake and forestry roads. RCMP and Conservation Officer staff are in place for the foreseeable future to continue checkpoint security and continue to enforce the Area Restriction Order. Failure to comply with the restriction area requirements may result in a violation ticket of $1,150.
The area restriction order is in place for public safety, due to the following hazards:
- Heavy equipment and chainsaw operators: Heavy equipment and chainsaw operators can’t hear or see you when operating equipment.
- Ash pits: Deep, intensely burning stumps and tree roots may result in hot ashpits underground that can lead to severe burns if you step or fall into one.
- Falling trees: Drought and burnt-out tree roots cause unstable trees that may fall at any time, especially if it’s windy.
Resources
Four heavy equipment task force teams continue to build contingency line machine guard from the Glenrosa community, tying into the Jack Creek Forest Road Service area and further to Lambly Lake. The construction of the contingency guard has been ongoing over multiple days and is estimated to be complete today. Pre-existing Forest Service Roads are being utilized as much as possible during guard construction considerations.
An Incident Management Team and 11 helicopters are assigned to the complex with 235 firefighters, 52 operational field staff, 7 structure protection personnel, 48 pieces of heavy machinery, and BC Hydro technicians and RCMP will be working throughout the day.
More information
For BC Wildfire full incident information for the McDougall Creek wildfire, visit details here.
For more information, contact the information line at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490.
For municipal and local government information such as landfill and transfer station hours, water restrictions, boat launch, park and road closures, visit their websites:
