McDougall Creek fire

The McDougall Creek Fire was a wildfire in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada as part of the 2023 Canadian wildfires. It started near West Kelowna on August 15, 2023, and was discovered at 5:59 pm PDT.[1] The wildfire forced the evacuation of West Kelowna and parts of Kelowna.

McDougall Creek Fire
Part of the 2023 Canada wildfires
LocationOkanagan, British Columbia, Canada
Statistics
Total area13,500 hectares (33,000 acres)
Date(s)August 15, 2023 – September 21, 2023
CauseUnder investigation
Buildings destroyed~190
Deaths0
Evacuated35,000
Map

Overall, at least 35,000 people were under evacuation orders and another 30,000 under evacuation alerts, as of August 19.[2][3]

The wildfire was being fueled by constant wind and extreme drought conditions. The wildfire was estimated to be at >13,500 hectares in size.

Background

The McDougall Creek Fire was one of the many wildfires that is currently burning in the Province of British Columbia.[4] The province announced on Thursday, August 17 that "the most challenging 24 to 48 hours this summer".

At 5:59 pm on August 15, the McDougall Creek fire was discovered and reported to B.C. Wildfire Services about 10 km northwest of West Kelowna. On the evening of August 17, 2023, a constant wind gust caused the wildfire to rapidly spread across the mountains.

At 1:25 pm PT on August 17, the evacuation alert was expanded, and an evacuation order was issued by the City of West Kelowna for 68 properties. Throughout the evening of August 17, further evacuation orders were issued by emergency officials. At around 9:55 pm, August 17, the wildfire jumped over Okanagan Lake sparking new wildfires north of Kelowna forcing a state of emergency by the city and further evacuations.[5][6]

Just after 10:20 am PT, August 18, Kelowna International Airport announced that they were suspending flights to and from the airport until further notice.[7]

Just after 6:15 pm, August 18, the province declared a state of emergency due to the changing and worsening fire condition. The province also advised against nonessential travel to the BC Interior.[8]

On August 19, the province announced in a ministerial order that non-essential travels into the B.C. Interior and southeast B.C. would be restricted[9] until September 4, 2023. The order restricts accommodations such as hotels, inns, motels, provincial parks, RV parks, bed and breakfasts, and public campgrounds in West Kelowna, Kelowna, Kamloops, Osoyoos, Oliver, Penticton, and Vernon to essential purposes only.[10]

On August 23, the province lifted most wildfire-related travel restrictions in the southern interior, with the exception of West Kelowna. Bowinn Ma, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, urged people to continuously avoid fire-affected communities and respect evacuation orders and alerts.[11]

As of September 1, the wildfire was estimated at 13,712 hectares in size and still classified as out of control. The wildfire was still actively burning along the west and southwest flanks. [12]

On September 21, the B.C. Wildfire Services reported that the wildfire was "being held" and that was fire was "not likely to spread past predetermined boundaries under current conditions."[13] The area restriction order remained in place until October 3. However, four regional district parks remained closed to the public.[14]

Damage

Officials have confirmed that fewer than 190 structures were lost and damaged.[15][16] One of the destroyed buildings included the historic Lake Okanagan Resort.[17]

See also

References
  1. "BC Wildfire Service". wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  2. "Thousands ordered to evacuate in B.C.'s Okanagan as fast-moving wildfire threatens Kelowna, West Kelowna". CBC News. August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  3. "As fires rage in British Columbia, more residents prepare for evacuations". Reuters. August 20, 2023. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  4. Carey, Charlie (August 17, 2023). "BC expecting dry lightning, more wildfires". CityNews Vancouver. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  5. "BC Wildfire Service". wildfiresituation.nrs.gov.bc.ca. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  6. Frisk, Adam. "Kelowna declares state of emergency, evacuation orders issued as wildfire jumps Okanagan Lake overnight". ctvnews. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  7. "Airspace over Kelowna International Airport closed as crews battle growing wildfires". CBC News. August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
  8. "Premier's and minister's statement on provincial state of emergency". Government of British Columbia. August 18, 2023.
  9. "CityNews". vancouver.citynews.ca. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  10. "Ministerial Order 243/2023". BC Laws. August 22, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  11. "Minister's statement on accommodation and travel restrictions". BC Gov News. August 19, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
  12. "McDougall Creek wildfire remains out of control at over 13,500 hectares". Kelowna Now. September 1, 2023. Retrieved September 2, 2023.
  13. "Destructive West Kelowna, B.C., wildfire that forced thousands from homes is now being held, service says". CBC News. September 22, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  14. "McDougall Creek wildfire: Order lifted restricting access to backcountry". Global News. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  15. "Fewer than 190 structures lost, damaged in McDougall Creek fire". www.castanet.net. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  16. "At least 50 West Kelowna structures lost to wildfire, but worst hit areas yet to be surveyed". CBC News. August 21, 2023. Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  17. "Structures burned, people trapped as parts of B.C.'s Okanagan ordered to evacuate". British Columbia. August 18, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
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