Destructive West Kelowna, B.C., wildfire that forced thousands from homes is now being held, service says
McDougall Creek fire destroyed or damaged nearly 190 properties in the Okanagan Valley
The large wildfire that destroyed dozens of homes in West Kelowna, B.C., and was a key front in the province's most devastating fire season on record, is now being held after raging out of control since mid-August, firefighters say.
The 139-square-kilometre McDougall Creek fire destroyed or damaged nearly 190 properties and forced the evacuation of thousands of people.
The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said while holding the fire is an important milestone, there's still much work ahead and many hazards remain in some areas.
The classification "being held" means officials believe the blaze is not likely to spread past predetermined boundaries under current conditions. But it remains a wildfire of note, meaning it continues to be highly visible and/or presents a threat to public safety.
"The response to a fire of this scale requires strong teamwork and collaboration across jurisdictions,'' an online statement by the B.C. Wildfire Service said.
"Thanks to partner agencies, First Nations and local governments, national and international resources, as well as the many contractors who were or are supporting suppression."
After significant efforts over many weeks, the McDougall Creek wildfire is now considered Being Held. A fire that is Being Held has received sufficient suppression action that it's not likely to spread past predetermined boundaries under current conditions. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Kelowna?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Kelowna</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WestKelowna?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WestKelowna</a> <a href="https://t.co/kMOqOu7JC3">pic.twitter.com/kMOqOu7JC3</a>
—@BCGovFireInfo
Officials say an area restriction order, limiting who can travel to the vicinity of the fire, will remain in place until at least Oct. 3.
Those allowed through include firefighters, people with homes in the area that are not under an evacuation order, and people doing agricultural activities.
Almost all remaining evacuation orders issued for the Regional District of Central Okanagan and the City of West Kelowna have been rescinded, with the exception of a handful of properties in West Kelowna.
Most evacuation alerts are also over.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says residents can expect to see smoke in the area until there is significant rain or snow.
About half of the 400 structures or homes destroyed in B.C.'s record-breaking fire season so far were in the Kelowna area.
The season spiralled into a crisis when the McDougall Creek fire swept down on West Kelowna on the evening of Aug. 17, engulfing residential streets and homes that were evacuated with little time to spare.
A provincewide state of emergency was declared the next day, as the same weather front that fuelled the McDougall Creek blaze fanned fires in the Shuswap region.
There, the Bush Creek East wildfire destroyed almost 200 structures. That fire remains out of control.
The McDougall Creek fire was discovered on Aug. 15, and its cause remains under investigation.
Still 390 active fires
Firefighting crews around the province are still busy with 390 fires actively burning, according to the BCWS, which is only a slight reduction from prior weeks.
There are still currently 11 fires of note, including McDougall Creek. The BCWS says 146 fires are burning out of control.
The service warned that warm and dry conditions expected over the next few days in the province's northeast will increase fire activity in the region.