Community leaders are asking residents to abide by evacuation orders and follow emergency directives pertaining to Central Okanagan Wildfires.

含羞草研究社淭he McDougall Creek wildfire has been shocking, traumatic and devastating for the West Kelowna community,含羞草研究社� said Mayor Gord Milsom during a regional wildfire update. 含羞草研究社淚 thank our residents for adhering to evacuation alerts and orders and remaining calm.含羞草研究社�

READ MORE: 含羞草研究社榃e are an army out there含羞草研究社�: West Kelowna fire chief

Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas noted that the past 48 hours have been extremely difficult.

含羞草研究社淎s we have heard from our fire chiefs, it含羞草研究社檚 not over yet. There is still a lot of work that we need to do to make sure that everyone is safe.含羞草研究社�

Dyas said there are approximately 5,053 properties on alert and 2,057 on evacuation order in Kelowna. He added that recovery plans are already being made.

含羞草研究社淢ore information will be available in the coming days with regards to individual structures.含羞草研究社�

The mayor also asked the public to stay out of active fire zones and off parts of Okanagan Lake.

含羞草研究社淎s has been mentioned numerous times, boaters please avoid the area north of William R. Bennett Bridge, to ensure safety as bombers and emergency crews continue to work in those areas.含羞草研究社�

READ MORE: Glenmore wildfire in Kelowna shows limited growth, 2,057 on evacuation order

Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie said the loss of property and businesses has been devastating.

含羞草研究社淭here is lots of collective grief and high emotions,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淚 can only ask that you be as calm as you can, patient and vigilant.含羞草研究社�

Louie added that the Westbank First Nation gymnasium on Quail Lane is open to the general public for accommodation, food, and emergency services.

含羞草研究社淲e will do the best we can to assist anyone that含羞草研究社檚 in need.含羞草研究社�

Lake Country Mayor Blair Ireland said structures have been lost in his community, Okanagan Centre.

含羞草研究社淲e cannot get into the details. We will try and inform people as soon as we can about the structures that have been affected. We urge them to be patient.含羞草研究社�

Ireland mentioned many people are stopping in Lake Country to get a look at the wildfires.

含羞草研究社淲e have a lot of boat traffic,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淚 personally witnessed the RCMP chasing yachts away that were cruising up and down this morning. It含羞草研究社檚 very frustrating they have to deal with that sort of thing.含羞草研究社�

READ MORE: Aerial support back in the air battling Lake Country wildfire, evacuations remain in place

Regional District Central Okanagan Chair Loyal Wooldridge pointed out that the priority right now is the safety of residents and first responders.

含羞草研究社淲e know that people are anxious to get home and know the outcomes of the structural loss,含羞草研究社� he added. 含羞草研究社淧lease know, that after this fire is out, this work will be done and we will make sure neighbourhoods are safe so that you can go home. We have been here before, and we got through it together.含羞草研究社�

Currently, 10,700 properties in the Central Okanagan are on evacuation order, with an additional 9,500 on alert.

More wildfire information is available on the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations website.

READ MORE: Colder weather calms down West Kelowna wildfire, evacuations remain