Live updates: Evacuations underway as wildfire threatens homes in West Kelowna, B.C.

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Fire crews are responding to a blaze sparked near Kalamoir Regional Park in West Kelowna, B.C., this morning.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says the fire was human-caused and started at around 11 a.m. PT West Kelowna municipal fire crews are leading the response. A number of evacuation alerts and orders are in effect in the Casa Loma and Lakeview Heights areas, details of which can be found here.

The fire is not yet fully mapped but it is listed as out of control and at least eight hectares in size as of noon PT. The park is on the western shore of Okanagan Lake, around four kilometres southwest of the William R. Bennett Bridge that links West Kelowna and Kelowna.

Environment Canada says wind in the area is gusting between 30 and 50 km/h.

I'm currently in West Kelowna, close to the wildfire that sparked today. Planes and helicopters are flying overhead, dumping water on the wildfire and then flying down to Okanagan Lake to refill. 

I'm parked in the Casa Loma neighbourhood and I can see people leaving their homes and evacuating the area under orders from the fire department. Some people set up sprinklers on their roofs before leaving. 

I can’t see flames, but the smoke is thick and burning my eyes and ash is falling from the sky. Casa Loma is on a hill, and I can see whitecaps on Okanagan Lake from the wind.

B.C. Officials share update on wildfire, drought season

Provincial politicians and staff from the River Forecast Centre and B.C. Wildfire Service will provide an outlook on wildfire and drought in the upcoming months.

As smoke from the fire in West Kelowna began billowing this morning, wildfire officials were talking to the media about what is predicted to be a challenging wildfire season. 

Drought conditions are worse than they were in previous years, the B.C. Wildfire Service said, and the amount of rain needed to mitigate it is unlikely. 

It's also forecast to be hot. 

Heat combined with all that dry fuel on the ground makes for a strong likelihood we're in for a busy season, officials said.

With evacuation orders and alerts now in place for homes around Kalamoir Park, Martin is urging people to remain calm. 

"Do not panic," he said. "Prepare your 72-hour kit so you can stay out of your home for that length of time. Take a nice easy route back out Campbell Road."

Martin clarified that evacuation orders have been issued for Benedick Road, Casa Loma Road, Casa Loma Estates, Casa Palmero Estates and Casa Palmero, with everyone else in the Casa Loma area on evacuation alert. 

The fight against the McDougall Creek fire lasted more than a month. 

It wasn't considered "held" by the B.C. Wildfire Service until Sept. 23, 2023 — when it was no longer a threat to human safety. 

But it left the community trying to figure out how to rebuild their homes and protect their community from future disasters. Fire Chief Jason Brolund became an advocate for the FireSmart program that promotes wildfire mitigation near homes. 

On Aug. 15, 2023, the McDougall Creek fire spread quickly after it start about 10 kilometres north of the city — and about six kilometres northwest of today's fire. 

Tens of thousands of residents were forced to evacuate, and heavy smoke filled the region as people watched the glow of the fire from the other side of the lake. 

About 189 structures were eventually lost to the fire, which burned nearly 140 square kilometres of land.

Firefighters with the fire department in Wilson's Landing were among the many local crews that battled the McDougall Creek blaze.

Unfortunately, the fire destroyed the homes of 13 of those firefighters while they were working to save others in the small community, just north of West Kelowna.

"All I know is that there's a fire stop at the end of Benedick Road at Kalamoir Park entrance. The fire has reached that location. We have air support, fire service and wildfire service on the scene and that's all I can report at this time."

Central Okanagan Emergency Management says tactical evacuations are underway in the following areas:

Lakeview Heights

Casa Loma areas:

I'm reporting from a location across Okanagan Lake where I can watch what’s happening in Kalamoir Regional Park.

The wind is incredibly strong. It’s fanned the flames to the point that this fire has grown incredibly. 

There are helicopters, there are planes dropping water on it and here on this side of the lake many people are stopping to watch it. 

We’re waiting to get an update from officials to hear exactly what is happening with the fire response and any possible evacuations.

Fire crews are responding to a blaze sparked near Kalamoir Regional Park in West Kelowna, B.C., this morning.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says the fire was human-caused and started at around 11 a.m. PT West Kelowna municipal fire crews are leading the response. A number of evacuation alerts and orders are in effect in the Casa Loma and Lakeview Heights areas, details of which can be found here.

The fire is not yet fully mapped but it is listed as out of control and at least eight hectares in size as of noon PT. The park is on the western shore of Okanagan Lake, around four kilometres southwest of the William R. Bennett Bridge that links West Kelowna and Kelowna.

Environment Canada says wind in the area is gusting between 30 and 50 km/h.

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