As the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) continues to do an outstanding job leading the McDougall Creek Wildfire management, the City of West Kelowna will continue to update the media and public on updates specific to our West Kelowna community. We anticipate issuing a daily news release and Community Updates today and tomorrow even if there are very few changes to report.
Today, West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund provided the update below.
“The McDougall Creek Wildfire continues to remain adjacent to the Glenrosa area but the risk of the wildfire spreading did not increase overnight nor through today” says Fire Chief Jason Brolund. “The much needed rainfall is helping along with continued cooler temperatures. Fire fighters continue their planning for fire suppression advancement into the Glenrosa area if conditions do change, but the weather is working in our favour.”
“We’re balancing the safe return home for our residents as quickly and safely as possible while BC Wildfire and fire fighters work hard to get this fire held,” says Brolund. The safe return of evacuees to the most damaged neighbourhoods in our community continues, and and we couldn’t be more grateful to everyone working collaboratively to get our community home safe.”
Weather remains a significant factor with wildfire protection and suppression in West Kelowna so please continue to watch for new and changing Evacuation Alerts and Evacuation Orders issued by cordemergency.ca.
West Kelowna is still very much in an active wildfire stage in several areas, particularly in the hills above West Kelowna. Residents in the Glenrosa area will continue to notice active fire fighting today and over the next few days. Neighbourhoods with significant damage will take longer to return home in an incremental return home plan, and the entire team is grateful to everyone affected for understanding the continued risk.
Safe return home factors include:
A ‘RETURNING HOME INFORMATION GUIDE’ IS AVAILABLE ONLINE
The safe return home for those affected by the wildfire remains everyone’s top priority. The EOC has provided a Returning Home Information Guide to help evacuees plan a safe return.
Please visit cordemergency.ca/resources or contact the EOC public information line at 250-469-8490 (local) or 1-877-569-8490 (toll-free).
THE FOLLOWING WATER ORDERS AND NOTICES REMAIN IN EFFECT IN WEST KELOWNA
It is important to note that our reservoirs had fire around them. The water must be safe and meet the requirements of Interior Health before rescinding any water Orders or Notices. All crews are working extremely diligently to restore water safely for our community, and we thank you for your patience.
The wildfire continues to be away from our water treatment plants and utility crews along with Interior Health continue to monitor compliance and regulate water use in West Kelowna. Should any further changes to our water quality result from continued fire fighting, the City will issue the appropriate water Notices and Orders in any affected areas under the direction of Interior Health.
To view the City of West Kelowna Water Quality Map please click here:
More information from Interior Health about what a Do Not Consume Order means is here: