Sigh of relief for West Kelowna as wildfire stayed in place overnight
CTV
West Kelowna residents were put on edge Tuesday as an evacuation alert was expanded and several firefighters arrived in the area in anticipation of potential increased wildfire behaviour brought on by strong winds.
West Kelowna residents were put on edge Tuesday as an evacuation alert was expanded and several firefighters arrived in the area in anticipation of potential increased wildfire behaviour brought on by strong winds.
“Yesterday, Aug. 29, the McDougall Creek wildfire threatened our community in a new way,” West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund said in an update Wednesday. He explained the transition from warm, stable weather to cooler, wetter days was accompanied by strong winds and low humidity—a recipe for increased fire behaviour.
Thankfully, the weather worked in crews’ favour, with some rain falling overnight, Brolund said. And the fire did not affect any additional homes, according an update from Central Okanagan Emergency Operations.
“The fire remains in its current position, with less activity overnight. We are grateful for the assistance of our neighbouring fire departments who quickly came when we called and remain as needed,” he said.
On Tuesday, 28 fire apparatus and nearly 125 firefighters from across the Okanagan gathered in Glenrosa and Smith Creek, ready to defend neighbourhoods and address any ember showers. Five fire engines and 21 staff kept guard overnight.
“We were not going to take any risks and instead took decisive action to protect the community,” Brolund continued.
On Wednesday, crews are feeling better about the weather forecast and fire conditions in West Kelowna, but the blaze will be an ongoing threat to the Glenrosa area “for a while to come,” he added.
