Some Kelowna wildfire evacuees set to go home while others learn of destruction

The City of Kelowna’s fire chief says he expects evacuation orders to be lifted in his community, with the goal of getting everyone back in their homes Thursday.

Travis Whiting says the fire that led to the evacuations last week is now being considered “held.”

“This is extremely exciting news. I can tell you, at the fire hall, the mood is very, very high and very, very positive this morning. It has been our goal for the last seven days to get all residents home safely and we couldn’t be more excited to see this happen today,” he said during a briefing Thursday morning.

“Super excited. We’re going to get everyone home tonight, and that’s a big deal.”

Whiting says information about evacuation orders will be available on the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations website, which includes a detailed map of evacuation zones.

While progress continues to be made on the wildfires burning around the Central Okanagan, not everyone is getting the same news about being able to return to their homes.

In addition to maps detailing evacuation zones, the district launched this week a web page that details property damage by address.

“For some of you, yesterday brought relief while for others the news was devastating. As our EOC Director Sally Ginter said yesterday, we did not make the decision to release information online lightly,” said Loyal Wooldridge, chair of the Regional District of Central Okanagan. “We know that as hard as it is to learn, this was the information that homeowners wanted to know as soon as possible. I want to take a moment to express my deepest condolences to each and every person who lost their home. The shock, grief, and uncertainty you’re feeling is valid.”

The regional district says support is available to anyone in need at HereToHelp.bc.ca.

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In West Kelowna and the Westbank First Nation, many evacuation orders remain in place because of the McDougall Creek fire.

However, crews got a helping hand from some rain Wednesday.

“Ending yesterday at 13:00 Aug. 23, 7.2 millimetres of rainfall at Fintry was recorded, 2.0 millimetres at the West Kelowna weather station, and 1.5 millimetres on the north branch of the fire, all of which is going to assist us with our progress,” BC Wildfire Service Senior Operations Officer Brad Litke explained.

Firefighting efforts were also aided by rainfall on Tuesday over the Okanagan region, as conditions continued to be parched.

As of Thursday morning, the McDougall Creek fire was an estimated 12,318 hectares. The Walroy Lake fire, on the east side of Okanagan Lake, was just under 800 hectares.

Meanwhile, the Clarke Creek fire, also on the east side of the lake and north of the city of Kelowna, was an estimated 370 hectares Thursday morning.

All three make up the Grouse Complex of wildfires.