Amid the devastation of wildfires on both sides of Okanagan Lake, West Kelowna含羞草研究社檚 fire chief is convinced his city, Kelowna, and Lake Country will recover and emerge stronger.
含羞草研究社楾his event will leave a long-lasting scar on the community,含羞草研究社� said Jason Brolund during a regional update on the wildfire situation in the Central Okanagan. 含羞草研究社淚 have already seen how the community is coming together. A lot of good work is being done. We are an army out there.含羞草研究社�
Brolund noted that 41 departments across B.C. have sent personnel and equipment to help fight fires in the Central Okanagan.
含羞草研究社淗ow do I begin to thank all of those fire chiefs? I will find a way to pay you back.含羞草研究社�
READ MORE: Community leaders urge calm and patience as crews battle Okanagan wildfires
Brolund said several structures were lost Friday (Aug. 19), but didn含羞草研究社檛 provide an exact number. He added that a dedicated team will soon begin the process of determining property losses.
含羞草研究社淢any of these areas still aren含羞草研究社檛 safe,含羞草研究社� he explained. 含羞草研究社淔ires are still burning in many areas.含羞草研究社�
Brolund also addressed property owners who want to know when they can go home.
含羞草研究社淭he answer there is that we don含羞草研究社檛 know. I know it含羞草研究社檚 difficult to be out. Many of my firefighters, including myself and my family, are also out. As soon as we know we will provide that information.含羞草研究社�
Brolund said crews also saved the almost complete Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant. The $75 million facility is expected to go online this fall.
含羞草研究社淲e were not going to let it burn down,含羞草研究社� he said. 含羞草研究社淭he fire burned over it, and it含羞草研究社檚 not damaged.含羞草研究社�
Additionally, he recounted a story of crews trying to put out fires at three homes, all next to each other, with the flames threatening dozens more above them.
含羞草研究社淲e had fire crews on the ground and BC Wildfire from the air. This is unprecedented含羞草研究社t含羞草研究社檚 amazing and a prime example of what含羞草研究社檚 happening out there.含羞草研究社�
READ MORE: Evacuation order issued for Sorrento/Skimikin areas in the Shuswap
Kelowna Fire Chief Travis Whiting said crews continue to work hard on the Walroy Lake wildfire.
含羞草研究社淲e still have a significant amount of fire activity, but we are dug in deep. Our crews are doing what they can to protect communities.含羞草研究社�
Whiting said several structures were burned yesterday in the Wilden neighbourhood, but did not provide a specific number.
含羞草研究社淲e need a better assessment, and to talk to homeowners first, so that we can speak accurately. We have been successful in protecting other homes.含羞草研究社�
Whiting added that there was also significant fire activity and response in Lake Country overnight.
North Westside Fire Chief Ross Kotscherofski said his department is doing everything it can to suppress aggressive fire behaviour.
含羞草研究社淚 know it含羞草研究社檚 been a trying time for everyone, especially those who have been evacuated,含羞草研究社� added. 含羞草研究社淲e will do our best to get you back into your communities and back into your homes.含羞草研究社�
A cold front, which lowered temperatures in the Southern Interior, has since passed but its effects are still being felt said Jerrad Schroeder, deputy fire manager with the Kamloops Fire Centre.
含羞草研究社淲e still have critically dry conditions and difficult days ahead.含羞草研究社�
He added that smokey conditions linger, causing limited visibility for aircrews.
含羞草研究社淎ir resources will continue to fly as long as it is safe to do so. Out-of-province resources continue to arrive. We have excellent cooperation from all agencies involved in the fight and we are trying to save and protect as much as we can.含羞草研究社�
According to Central Okanagan Emergency Operations, approximately 10,700 properties are under evacuation order and a further 9,500 are on alert.
READ MORE: Cooler temperature, no rain in Okanagan weather forecast
jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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