Update: B.C. Forest calls West Kelowna fire its primary focus in B.C.

By John McDonald

The good news about the West Kelowna wildfire that broke out yesterday afternoon is that, so far, no one has been seriously hurt or killed.

The bad news is the fire has not been contained at all, more hot, windy weather is expected tomorrow and a second 20 hectare fire has started near the Rose Valley reservoir

West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater told the media at a late night press conference that 10,000 people have been evacuated from about 4,500 homes including all of Glenrosa and Gellatly Bay.

“It’s been a tough day, a dangerous situation,” said Findlater. “We knew it was dry, extremely dry, but what magnified it was the high winds, sometimes up to 60 km/h.”

Findlater said West Kelowna council met yesterday afternoon and declared a local state of emergency.

Three homes have been confirmed destroyed, although that number could go up at first light when fire investigators resume their work.

Findlater said at least 30 other homes are under threat in the immediate are of the Gorman Bros. Mill, which itself was the focus of major fire-fighting effort yesterday afternoon when the wind shifted, sending the fire down over Glenrosa Road and across Highway 97 into the Gellatly area.

Peachland is without power and cut off from the rest of the Central Okanagan by the closing of Highway 97.

West Kelowna Fire and Rescue Chief Wayne Schnitzler said some 169 firefighters, including B.C. Forest Service crews, have been fighting the wildfire that broke out early Saturday afternoon.

They were backed up by 10 fire-fighting helicopters and a air tanker.

B.C. Forest incident commander Rob Moore said he has ordered six more 20-member sustained action crews to join the fight tomorrow.

In addition, Moore said an incident management team will be brought in Sunday to help coordinate the fire-fighting efforts.

He said the high winds put the fire into the rank four or five category, similar to that of the worst of the Okanagan Mountain Park fire in 2003.

Crews will continue to fight the fire throughout the night, taking advantage of diminished fire activity.

Displaced people are being offered shelter in the Royal LePage Place and Mount Boucherie Secondary School.

People who have been separated from family members or friends can call (778)797-2269.

john@kelowna.com/(250)575-0521

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