No deaths, but estimated 90 homes lost to wildfire in Kelowna area

It’s believed everyone got out of Kelowna and West Kelowna safely after the McDougall Creek wildfire rapidly advanced last week, as officials confirm for the first time they don’t believe there have been any deaths.

Jason Brolund, West Kelowna’s fire chief, revealed Canada Task Force 1 had taken dogs to search hundreds of suspected sites where people may have stayed behind despite evacuation orders — and found no casualties.

“To the best of our knowledge, using the best techniques we have at our disposal, I can share that news today,” Brolund said, adding it’s “very encouraging … for all of us involved in this.”

There are also no outstanding missing person reports for the area, although Brolund encouraged anyone who hasn’t heard from a loved one to contact RCMP.

Officials are grateful there was no loss of life but are working to tally the number of homes destroyed by the fire. The rough estimates at this time indicate less than 100 buildings were burned in the area.

Brolund said it’s estimated 70 homes burned in West Kelowna, and another 20 burned in Westbank First Nation Territory. Up in Lake Country, three homes have been lost — although thick smoke prevents crews from doing an accurate daytime fly-by to get a full count.

Officials say the neighbourhoods with the most damage are Traders Cove and Lake Okanagan Resort.

“Some of you and your loved ones will receive heartbreaking news about your homes,” Central Okanagan Regional District chairperson Loyal Wooldridge said. “What I know is our region’s strength is unwavering, and we will be there for one another.”

BC Premier David Eby, BC Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma, and federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan will be visiting the area today to see the destruction.