Phased approach used to return evacuated residents
As the Clifton McKinley wildfire in Kelowna is now held, the Emergency Operations Centre is working to get City of Kelowna residents home as soon as possible.
Fire chief Travis Whiting told the Thursday fire update, he hopes to have all the impacted Kelowna citizens back in their homes by the end of the day (Aug. 24).
Crews are working on a process today to get neighbourhoods in the city safe for residents’ return. A phased approach is underway to prepare neighbourhoods and residents must not return home until cordemergency.ca sends out public notification that their area is cleared.
This phased approach must be followed to avoid interference with the important work crews are doing right now to prepare neighbourhoods for the return home, including removal of hazard trees in nearby forested areas.
“Today’s the day we get people in the City of Kelowna home, but in a safe, phased and orderly way,” Whiting said. “It is important that residents watch for more information throughout the day at cordemergency.ca on when their specific neighbourhood is ready for safe return.”
The public should be aware that, for their protection, closures of parks and natural areas will continue including Stephens Coyote Ridge Regional Park and the North Glenmore Dog Park.
Residents are asked to respect signs, locked gates and barricades and stay out of these parks and natural areas in the wildfire affected areas for their safety. Crews will be doing hazard assessments and working in those areas to get them safe for eventually re-entry in the weeks ahead.
If residents returning home notice hot spots within their areas, they can call the Kelowna Fire Department non-emergency line at 250-469-8577.
As Evacuation Orders are downgraded and Evacuation Orders are removed, residents are reminded that they may also encounter various hazards on their private properties from the wildfire.
The Emergency Operations Centre provides a comprehensive guide for returning home with a variety of resources about property and food safety, pets, insurance, mental health supports and more. Go to: