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. With 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 reasons of responders and residents.
Some residents were granted four-hour access to their properties today in Raymer/Sailview Bay neighbourhoods within Evacuation Order area to retrieve important items. An additional update is expected later today to report which properties in the Traders Cove and Pine Point areas will be permitted, including those properties that were originally identified for today, but deferred to tomorrow due to an odour in the vicinity now deemed negligible by environmental officials.
Planned ignitions
Planned ignitions are an integral part of fire suppression and wildfire management. BC Wildfire conducted a successful planned ignition operation in the Hidden Creek area yesterday, removing 146 hectares of fuel to allow water suppression operations. The next phase of a large-scale planned ignition operation will occur today in the early afternoon if conditions allow. Smoke will be highly visible to nearby communities and commuters along Highway 97 while the operation is underway. This planned ignition operation is being utilized to remove 350-hectares of unburnt fuels on the north side of Carrot Mountain and on the northwest to west side of Carrot Mountain, adjacent to the Powers Creek Drainage. This operation will bring the fire down to constructed containment line where crews can safely and effectively extinguish the fire’s edge over the coming days.
Both planned ignition operations are critical to reducing the threat of the McDougall Creek wildfire adjacent to our local communities.
Residents in alert areas are reminded the McDougall Creek wildfire status is noted as out of control and can change quickly. Residents are reminded to be ready with a grab-and-go bag to leave at a moment's notice and be away from home for an extended period.
Current situation
The McDougall Creek Wildfire is estimated to have consumed 13,712 hectares and continues to actively burn above the Powers Creek drainage located near the Glenrosa neighbourhood of West Kelowna. BC Wildfire Service, West Kelowna Fire Rescue, and RDCO Fire Services continue to coordinate protection and mitigation adjacent to and within the neighbourhoods in this area.
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 complete on Thursday, September 7. Pre-existing Forest Service Roads are being utilized as much as possible during guard construction considerations.
An Incident Management Team and 10 helicopters are assigned to the complex with 232 firefighters, 42 operational field staff, 6 structure protection personnel, 51 pieces of heavy machinery, and BC Hydro technicians and RCMP will be working throughout the day.
Resiliency Centre
The Resiliency Centre is a place for residents and businesses impacted by the McDougall Creek wildfire to begin the rebuilding process. This service hub will help connect those affected by the wildfire in a safe and supportive environment. The Resiliency Centre team is trained to help understand the needs of our community members affected and help provide individualized supports to navigate through these challenging times. Drop by Governor’s Landing at 403 - 3031 Louie Drive, in the Governor’s Landing in Westbank between the hours of 9:00am and 6:00pm, or call 250-707-3454.
More information
For BC Wildfire full incident information for the McDougall Creek wildfire, visit details here.
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.
For municipal and local government information such as landfill and transfer station hours, water restrictions, boat launch, park and road closures, visit their websites:
