Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

West Kelowna declares state of emergency over encroaching wildfire

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 17 Aug, 2023 02:48 PM
  • West Kelowna declares state of emergency over encroaching wildfire

A threatening wildfire has prompted a local state of emergency for the City of West Kelowna, B.C., and part of the nearby Westbank First Nation as fire crews prepare for the "most challenging" few days of the season in the province. 

Central Okanagan Emergency Operations has also placed 68 properties on evacuation order and another 5,700 properties on alert due to the nearby McDougall Creek wildfire, which grew to three square kilometres in a matter of hours after it started on Wednesday. 

Cliff Chapman, director of the BC Wildfire Service, said at a news conference that they were seeing extreme behaviour by the fire that is just a few kilometres away from the community. 

"We rarely see that type of fire behaviour, you know, pre-breakfast time in B.C., and we're seeing it today and we're going to see it continue through today," he said during a news conference on Thursday. 

Most of the southern half of the province has been baking under a heat wave, and Chapman said the breakdown of a high-pressure ridge will bring gusty winds and dry lightning, making the next few days the most challenging yet in a record-breaking fire season. 

"You couple that with the extreme drought conditions that we've spoken about on these availabilities over the course of the last number of months, and the conditions out in the forests are very primed to see significant fire growth and to see new fires challenge our suppression efforts," he said. 

The areas under evacuation order or alert in West Kelowna don't include Highway 97, which runs through the community, but do cover several business areas, neighbourhoods and subdivisions. 

Evacuees are being asked to register online or go to the Information Centre at Royal LePage Place.

Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said the wildfire service has deployed "significant resources" to the fire. 

"It is our hope that we don't have to recommend that the communities go to an evacuation order but, of course, we're also asking everyone to be prepared now," she said.

Chapman urged B.C. residents to put together a "grab-and-go" bag and to respect any evacuation orders because the conditions are so dangerous.

"I want to stress now is not the time to not adhere to evacuation orders and alerts. The weather is going to be erratic and significant, at least it is forecast to be," he said. 

"Please listen to your local governments and provincial officials when there is an evacuation order. We urge you to please leave. We will try to get you home as soon as we can (when) this weather system passes."

The blaze near West Kelowna is listed as one of 14 fires of note in B.C., meaning it is highly visible or threatening public safety. 

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Vancouver home prices rose slightly from June to July

Vancouver home prices rose slightly from June to July
Home prices in the Greater Vancouver Area rose slightly between June and July to just over 1.2-million-dollars. The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver says that was due to strong sales figures and few listed homes.

Vancouver home prices rose slightly from June to July

Trudeaus announce separation after 18 years of marriage

Trudeaus announce separation after 18 years of marriage
The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement the couple have signed a separation agreement "to ensure that all legal and ethical steps with regards to their decision to separate have been taken, and will continue to do so moving forward."

Trudeaus announce separation after 18 years of marriage

External review found military's COVID-19 vaccine policy violated Charter of Rights

External review found military's COVID-19 vaccine policy violated Charter of Rights
The Military Grievances External Review Committee reviews grievances that are referred to it by the chief of defence staff, and provides the chief with non-binding findings and recommendations. The vaccine policy required Canadian Armed Forces members to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face release.

External review found military's COVID-19 vaccine policy violated Charter of Rights

Suspect vehicle identified in Richmond shooting of Ravinder Samra

Suspect vehicle identified in Richmond shooting of Ravinder Samra
Through extensive video canvassing, IHIT has identified a suspect vehicle, described as a black 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe, which was parked in the hours leading up to the homicide on the west-side of the 8100-block of Minler Road, with the suspects inside.  

Suspect vehicle identified in Richmond shooting of Ravinder Samra

PharmaCare covers medical device for diabetics

PharmaCare covers medical device for diabetics
British Columbia residents with diabetes who use a flash glucose monitor to read their blood sugar levels will now have the cost of it covered by the province. As of today, the FreeStyle Libre will be covered by B-C PharmaCare as a limited-coverage benefit.

PharmaCare covers medical device for diabetics

Labour experts urge caution ahead of union vote that could end B.C. port dispute

Labour experts urge caution ahead of union vote that could end B.C. port dispute
Leaders of the International and Longshore Workers Union Canada are recommending that its 7,400 or so members approve the tentative new deal with employers, that both sides announced in a joint statement late Sunday.  

Labour experts urge caution ahead of union vote that could end B.C. port dispute