Up to 200 buildings estimated destroyed by Okanagan wildfires, fire chiefs say

UPDATE:B.C. officials look ahead to recovery, rebuilding efforts as residents reckon with losses from wildfires

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The latest on the wildfires:

• Latest estimates suggest almost 90structures were destroyed or damaged in West Kelowna and the Westbank First Nation, and almost100 in the North Westside region to the north.
• Three homes were lostin Kelowna and another three in neighbouring Lake Country.
• The B.C. premier, along withprovincial forestsand emergencies ministers, met Tuesday with evacuees from the southern Interior,some of whom criticized the province's wildfire fighting strategy.
• Wildfire-related travel orders to the B.C. Interior except for West Kelowna will be lifted at midnight Wednesday.
• In the Shuswap region, wildfire fighters say their equipment has been removed or tampered with.
• Learn more about how to find the full list of wildfires, highway closures and evacuation orders and alerts.

The latest estimates from fire chiefs in B.C.'s Central Okanagan region suggest almost 200 buildings have been destroyed in aggressive wildfires that swept through West Kelowna and the surrounding area last week.

Almost 90 structures in the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation were fully or partially destroyed by an aggressive wildfire that swept across the region last week, and more than 3,000 were unaffected by the flames.

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolundprovided the latest numbers at a news conference Tuesday morning, saying crews believe almost 70 properties in the city and almost 20 in the First Nation were affected, althougha full assessment of the damage is still underway.

At the same news conference, North Westside Fire ChiefRoss Kotcherofski estimated almost100 structures have been lost to wildfire in his jurisdiction, whichlies north of West Kelowna, but stressedhe didn't want to provide more numbers while assessments are still being done.

On the east side of Okanagan Lake, wildfires destroyed three homes and two outbuildings in Kelowna, and another three homes in Lake Country to the north of the city, officials confirmed Tuesday.

Brolund warned residents to prepare themselves to witness the extent of the destruction as wildfire smokeis expected to lift.

"The mountains around our community are going to look different. We haven't seen them since the fire. The difference will be dramatic."

He said firefighters have made good progress on protecting homes from the destructive McDougall Creek wildfire in the past 24 hours, and working to get it contained.

"We're making progress. Things are getting better. We're going to get this thing across the finish line."

WATCH | Fire chief says doorbell cameras bringnew angle on fires:

Fire chief says West Kelowna homeowners thanking crews via doorbell cams

12 months ago

Duration 0:49

Jason Brolund says firefighters appreciate the thanks they're getting from homeowners who are reaching out to them virtually while they work to protect properties from wildfire.

He described Monday night as "calm but very busy" for firefighters, who had to deal with about two dozen spot firesand saved one home from burning after a nearby wood pile caught fire.

The fires in the area have been grouped together as the Grouse Complex wildfires.

Brad Litke, B.C. Wildfire Service's incident commander for the complex, said atTuesday's news conference that lighter winds are expected through the day, but thunderstorms are possible, which could complicate firefighting efforts.

He said wildfire smoke is still making it difficult to determine the exact size of the McDougall Creek fire, but the current estimate is 120 square kilometres.

WATCH | West Kelowna residents see homes destroyed through doorbell cameras:

West Kelowna man watched video footage of his home burn taken by neighbour's doorbell camera

12 months ago

Duration 2:25

Chris Erickson's home was one of more than 50 structures lost in the McDougall Creek fire in West Kelowna. Erickson watched video footage taken by his neighbour's doorbell camera of his home in the Rose Valley neighbourhood burning to the ground. Despite losing his residence, Erickson is thanking his neighbours for their kindness and support.

Travel restrictions to end

Officials said Monday there are about 27,000 people in the province under evacuation order due to ongoing wildfires, with another 35,000 people under alert to evacuate on short notice.

On Tuesday, B.C. Premier David Eby visited the Shuswap and Okanagan regions of B.C. to meet residents affected by the fires.

The premiersurveyed the damage along with Forests Minister Bruce Ralston and Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma.

At a news conference in West Kelowna, Ma announced thatmost wildfire-related travel restrictions in the B.C. Interior will end at midnight Wednesday, with the exception of West Kelowna.

The order, issued on Aug. 19,had prevented tourists from using hotels, motels, RV parks and other temporary accommodations in Kelowna and West Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon, so they could be utilized by the province.

The minister said the order has had its desired effect, with space being made available for first responders, evacuees, and support staff.

"We have heard from communities like West Kelowna, in particular, Lake Country, and the Shuswap that now is not the time to visit them," Ma said, adding that travellers should still check emergency orders before makingplans.

Some smoke warnings lift

Firefighters made good progress on many fires on Monday amid favourable weather conditions, while a tropical storm that ripped through Mexico and the southwest United StatesTuesday waspredicted tobring rain to the province, but also winds.

"We're hopeful it will bring some measurable precipitation to areas that really need it," said Sarah Budd, a wildfire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS), on Monday.

"The sort of flipside of thatis that it could increase some of the winds and change wind directions through parts of the Okanagan.

"As we always say, we don't have a crystal ball, and that weather pattern is a little uncertain where the winds will be going."

WATCH | Fire information officer says equipment stolen in Shuswap:

Critical firefighting equipment stolen, says wildfire information officer

12 months ago

Duration 1:40

Various firefighting gear has been repeatedly moved and stolen in the Shuswap region over the last two days, according to B.C. Wildfire Service information officer Forrest Tower.

Smoky skies continued to blanket much of B.C.because of thewildfiresalthough it was forecast to lift in some areas Tuesday.

In Metro Vancouver,an air quality advisory that hadcovered most of the area since Saturday was lifted.The regional district saidin a statement that a change in weather had reduced the amount of fine particulate matter in the air, but officials have warnedthat smoke-related air quality problems could return at any time.

Highways closed

Wildfires are also affecting several travel corridors: Highway 1 isclosed in at least two spots,between Lytton and Hope in the Fraser Canyon, and between Chase and Sorrentoin the Shuswap.

Other travel advisories:

• Highway 97, in both directions, just south of Coldstream to Peachland.
• Highway 97,in both directions, six kilometres north of Vernon to three kilometres south of Osoyoos.
• Highway 5A, in both directions, between Old Kamloops Road and Roche Lake Road for 13 kilometres south of Kamloops.

DriveBChas a full listing of all road closures and travel advisories.

New evacuation orders from Lytton First Nation

On Tuesday evening, the Lytton First Nation issued expandedevacuation orders for eight First Nation reserves due to the Stein Mountain wildfire.

Numerous areas around Lytton which itself is on evacuation alert are on emergency orders fromthe Fraser Valley Regional District, Thompson-Nicola Regional District, Lytton First Nation, Skuppah Indian Band and Kanaka Bar Indian Band.

That is due to both the Stein Mountain wildfire burning northwest of the community, and the Kookipi Creek wildfire burning south of the village in the Fraser Canyon.

READ MORE:

• The BCWSis trying to dispel rumours that its activities in the Shuswap region caused two aggressive fires to merge last week.
• Volunteers are venturing into evacuation areas to rescue pets and reunite them with their owners.
• A man who lost his dream home to fire in the Shuswap region is sharing his story.
• A Kelowna tourism operator says he fears for the future of his business after fleeing two wildfires in eight years.
• All standard homeowner and tenant insurance policies cover damage caused by fires, according to insurers.
• Here's how you can protect yourself from the impacts of wildfire smoke.

WATCH | Kelowna kangaroo farm has to shutter due to wildfires:

Kelowna kangaroo farm closes doors amid provincial state of emergency

12 months ago

Duration 1:53

A popular tourist attraction in Kelowna has been shut down since last Friday. The Kangaroo Creek Farm is home to over 100 aminals, primarily kangaroos. It voluntarily closed its doors due to the risk of fire in the area, taking a hit during its peak season. CBC News spoke with Caroline MacPherson, the facilities' director, about how they are managing during these trying times.

Anyone placed under an evacuation order should leave the area immediately.

Evacuation centres have been set up throughout the province to assist anyone evacuating from a community under threat from a wildfire.

To find the centre closest to you, visit theEmergencyInfoBCwebsite.

Evacuees are encouraged to register withEmergency Support Services online, whether or not they access services at an evacuation centre.

Do you have a story to share?

If you've been affected by the B.C. wildfires and want to share your story, emailcbcnewsvancouver@cbc.ca.