Could be 1-2 weeks before all evacuation orders are lifted

Emergency officials say it could be another week or two before its safe to remove all of the evacuation orders still in place for the McDougall Creek fire.

An estimated 405 properties remain under evacuation order and 12,303 are on evacuation alert.  Of that total, 283 are on evacuation order within RDCO Electoral Area West and 122 are from the City of West Kelowna.

“Safe re-entry into neighbourhoods is a priority,” a news release from Central Okanagan Emergency Operations stated. “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. It is anticipated that it will be one to two weeks before it is safe to remove all evacuation orders still in place.”

The Emergency Operations Centre continues to contact property owners who experienced a loss of their homes or whose homes are uninhabitable because of the McDougall Creek fire – all owners whose properties were lost are expected to be contacted by Thursday, Sept. 7 or earlier. Residents under evacuation order and whose properties sustained partial damage but with structures that are still habitable have been contacted by email or phone.

Current situation 

The McDougall Creek Wildfire is estimated to have consumed 13,712 hectares and remains out of control. The fire 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.

Increased fire behaviour along established control lines is expected, with some smouldering ground fire growth. With little to no precipitation recently or anticipated, a gradual increase in fire behaviour within established control lines can be expected over the coming days.

Today, BC Wildfire personnel are preparing for a planned ignition operation in the Hidden Creek area if conditions are favourable. This planned ignition operation will remove approximately 25-30 hectares of unburnt fuel and will secure an area for crews to safely work from and provide more opportunities for future planned ignition operations.

In addition, low intensity planned ignition operations will be used to bring the fire down to these pre-established areas where crews can safely and effectively extinguish the fire’s edge. This planned ignition operation was scheduled for September 3, but conditions did not allow for the operation to be conducted. When conditions allow, planned ignition operations will be utilized to remove 150-hectares of unburnt fuels on the north side of Carrot Mountain and an additional 250-hectares on the northwest to west side of Carrot Mountain.

Personnel will continue to target and mop up remaining hot spots and heat identified through scans along the southern portion of Westside Road.

Residents in alert areas are advised the situation is dynamic and can change quickly. They 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.

Resources

Four heavy equipment task force teams anticipate completion of the contingency machine guard in the Glenrosa/Powers Creek area, connecting the Bear Main FSR around the west side of Crystal Mountain and back around into Glenrosa Road, continuing east above the Glenrosa community, as early as today.

An Incident Management Team and 9 helicopters are assigned to the complex with 224 firefighters, 35 operational field staff, 6 structure protection personnel, 45 pieces of heavy machinery, and BC Hydro technicians and RCMP will be working throughout the day.

Fridge and freezer collection

Curbside pick-up of ruined fridges and freezers service remains until further notice.

The Rapid Response Industrial Group has collected 150 appliances from 92 residents that have been affected by significant power outages due to the wildfire.

Residents requiring this service should contact their insurers about what to do with home contents including spoiled food, fridges and freezers before they take action. Insurers sometimes require inventory of photos. Once they have been collected, appliances cannot be returned.

Email: info@rapidresponseind.com to schedule a pick-up and ensure fridge remains unopened and is sealed with duct tape prior to moving. Appliances must be moved from your home and place on curbside or driveway by 8 a.m. on the scheduled day of pick-up.

To reduce wildlife conflicts in neighbourhoods, residents should not put fridges or freezers outside until just before scheduled collection time.

Requests submitted before 4 p.m. will be picked up the following day before 4 p.m. Requests after 4 p.m. are subject to 24-hour delay of pick-up. Special requests with extenuating circumstances can contact (956) 302-6611 to facilitate pick-up for residents with mobility challenges.