Number of homes destroyed or damaged by wildfire in B.C.'s Okanagan rises to 189

The latest on the wildfires:

• The Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre says new assessments have revealed 189 structures were burned by the McDougall Creek wildfire, up from 181.
• The province says 8,000 properties continue to be under an evacuation order due to wildfires, while 54,000 are under an evacuation alert.
• Officials in B.C.'s Shuswap began notifying residents Monday about properties affected by the Bush Creek East wildfire.
• People in B.C.'s northwest are once again watching fires closely as the the Village of Witset issued an evacuation alert.
• Air quality advisories stemming from wildfire smoke remain in effect for B.C.'s South Coast and southern Interior, along with a severe thunderstorm watch for Vancouver Island.
• The B.C. Wildfire Service says from April 1, it's spent an estimated $585 million on fire suppression efforts.

Kelowna-area officials have updated the number of structures that were damaged or destroyed by the McDougall Creek wildfire over the past 11 days from 181 to 189.

The new number comes after crews were better able to assess fire-damaged areas in and around West Kelowna, B.C.

"Our hearts go out to all who have been impacted by this unprecedented fire event, and particularly to those whose homes have been significantly damaged or lost," said Sally Ginter, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre director in a news release.

Officials are asking property owners in the West Kelowna Estates, and those with access from Bear Creek Main and neigbourhoods along Westside Road to once again check a web portal for status updates on properties.

On Monday, more evacuation orders were lifted in West Kelowna's Smith Creek area. In total, more than 300 properties in the region have had evacuation orders lifted over the last day, according to officials.

The McDougall Creek fire continues to burn out of control over 123 square kilometres, but fire suppression efforts have pushed it back into the hills above West Kelowna, which is located on the opposite shore of Okanagan Lake from Kelowna, B.C.

The West Kelowna Fire Department is returning to "normal day-to-day operations" as the number of residents under evacuation order continues to steadily decline.

WATCH | West Kelowna firefighters read messages of thanks posted to firehall: 

West Kelowna firefighters get boost from community gratitude

1 year ago

Duration 0:35

Capt. Bob Peters says community support means a lot to firefighters who have worked hard to save homes in B.C.'s wildfire-stricken Okanagan.

Officials said it will still be a long road to recovery, with an undetermined amount of time still needed before some residents who have suffered losses will be able to be safely escorted into burned areas to visit their properties.

"A tough week is just beginning for many," said West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund.

He said included in the lifting of evacuation orders was one for Rose Valley Elementary School in West Kelowna, where he said teachers have gone back in to start setting up for classes.

"That's a major milestone for the community," said Brolund.

The B.C. Wildfire Service posted over the weekend an eight-minute video chronicling the response to the McDougall Creek blaze after a cold front caused its explosive growth on Aug. 17.

Shuswap damage

Meanwhile, residents of the Shuswap region to the north are due to learn about the condition of their properties affected  by a devastating wildfire in the area.

Derek Sutherland, director of the emergency operations centre for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, said staff will call residents to talk about next steps starting Monday.

The estimated number of properties destroyed by the Bush Creek East wildfire is unchanged at 131, he said, with another 37 sustaining damage.

B.C. Hydro personnel are working to replace toppled poles, he said, but it will be several more days before it becomes clear when power might be restored for many in the area affected by the 430-square-kilometre blaze.

When asked what parents and students can expect for the return to classes this fall, Sutherland said officials are discussing plans with the local school district.

While Monday brought temperatures nearing 30 C, cooler weather is expected Tuesday along with some rain, which would be "great news,'' fire information officer Mike McCulley said.

The regional district is working with residents who are interested in responding to wildfires to provide them with safety training, Sutherland added.

Anyone who has signed up to work with the B.C. Wildfire Service is being provided with food, gas and water, McCulley said.

'Deep' impact of fires: emergency minister

Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma, joined by other provincial officials at a 1 p.m. PT Monday news conference, said 8,000 properties across the province continue to be under an evacuation order, while 54,000 are under an evacuation alert.

She said the province was undertaking a review of reports of long lines outside and delays in receiving support at an emergency centre in Kamloops when tens of thousands of people arrived after being evacuated from the McDougall Creek wildfire.

She said provincial psychological support teams had been sent to evacuation centres across the province and asked people struggling to cope with fires, displacement and loss to access provincial tools and services that have been made available.

"The impacts left by these fires are deep," she said.

On Monday, the B.C. Wildfire Service said that from April 1, it's spent an estimated $585 million on fire suppression efforts across the province, which is more than all of the 2022 season, but not the 2021 season.

"Whatever it takes to protect people and protect property is there," said B.C. Forests Minister Brian Ralston about the budget for wildfire response.

Northwest fire threat

After a few weeks of reprieve, residents in B.C.'s northwest are once again watching fires closely. The Village of Witset, about 170 kilometres northeast of Terrace, issued an evacuation alert Sunday due to the John Brown Creek wildfire.

The fire has been burning out of control since it was discovered on July 10. As of Monday evening, it is 2.6 square kilometres in size and just four kilometres from Witset, where around 1,700 people live.

"It was putting up some smoke over the last month or so, but fire activity was relatively quiet. That's changed," said Michelle Larstone with the B.C. Wildfire Service.

High temperatures, above 30 C in some areas, and ongoing drought has exacerbated wildfire risk in the region, according to officials.

Larstone said there is a chance of rain in the area for Tuesday.

READ MORE: 

• Experts say the way air quality is calculated across the country needs to change to better reflect the risks and prevalence of wildfire smoke.
• More than $38,000 has been raised for 13 volunteer firefighters who lost their homes while protecting their community from wildfire. 
• A large pig miraculously survived after a ranch was levelled by a wildfire in West Kelowna.

Anyone placed under an evacuation order should leave the area immediately.

Evacuation centres have been set up throughout the province to assist anyone evacuating from a community under threat from a wildfire.

To find the centre closest to you, visit the EmergencyInfoBC website.

Evacuees are encouraged to register with Emergency Support Services online, whether or not they access services at an evacuation centre.

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If you've been affected by the B.C. wildfires and want to share your story, email [email protected].