Raging wildfire jumps Okanagan Lake to Kelowna, state of emergency declared

The McDougall Fire burning near West Kelowna has crossed the Okanagan Lake to Kelowna proper.

Read more:

• Over 750 more West Kelowna properties ordered to evacuate amid wildfire threat

• Wildfire near West Kelowna could put critical infrastructure at risk: MP

The out-of-control wildfire is estimated to be burning at 1,100 hectares in size, and has prompted evacuation orders and alerts on the west side of the lake. A local state of emergency is in place for Kelowna and the Westbank First Nation.

Data from the BC Wildfire Service shows two new fires in Kelowna — one that was discovered at 9:55 p.m., and another that was discovered at 10:46 p.m. Thursday.

In response, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations issued evacuation orders for properties in the Clifton Road North and McKinley neighbourhoods. As of 1:40 a.m. Friday, properties in the Still Pond area of North Kelowna were placed under an evacuation order, including those surrounding Hidden Lake.

Properties in the Still Pond area are under an Evacuation Order due to fires in the Clifton/McKinley areas of Kelowna.
An overnight shelter centre has opened at Prospera Place in Kelowna for evacuees requiring a place to go overnight.
For more information: https://t.co/dyzAr9bwim pic.twitter.com/AB6CDatLNH

— Central Ok Emergency (@CO_Emerg) August 18, 2023

UPDATE: #Evacuation Order issued for properties surrounding Hidden Lake and Still Pond in #Kelowna. Impacted residents must leave the area immediately. More info and map: https://t.co/sTZzucHmdT #BCWildfire https://t.co/FGehgHC0bM pic.twitter.com/i1EinEeEjp

— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) August 18, 2023

Multiple evacuation alerts have also been issued nearby.

An emergency response centre has been established in the North Clifton area and Prospera Place.

“Due to unpredictable fire behaviour, it is critical that all residents evacuate for their safety and the safety of first responders in the area,” reads an excerpt from the evacuation notice.

Kelowna Fire crews are responding to fires. Residents in the Clifton Rd North and McKinley area must evacuate. Residents along Glenmore Road from McKinley Beach to John Hindle Rd are on Evacuation Alert.
For more information: https://t.co/be8LitgqDy pic.twitter.com/yENn7H9AB6

— Central Ok Emergency (@CO_Emerg) August 18, 2023

Since the fire began, the Regional District of Central Okanagan has ordered the evacuation of close to a thousand homes — which translates to approximately 2,500 people. Thousands of other properties in West Kelowna have been placed on evacuation alert as well, keeping them ready to evacuate if the situation worsens.

On Thursday night, West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund said he expected the fire to continue growing overnight.

CityNews has reached out to the BC Wildfire Service for more information on the situation.

-With files from The Canadian Press