Strong winds sparked visible growth to a large McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna Thursday (Aug. 17), pushing the blaze over the crest across Lake Okanagan.
The blaze was visible across the waters through the evening.
Earlier in the day, Environment Canada forecast winds to reach 20 kilometres per hour. Winds are expected to remain gusty overnight until late Friday. As a cold front enters the Interior, “dry lightning” with little rain is likely, the weather agency said.
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Those who are on evacuation alert or live nearby the threatened area have been urged to prepare to leave at a moment’s notice.
As of Friday morning, an estimated 2,462 properties were under evacuation order and 4,801 properties were under evacuation alert.
The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the McDougall Creek wildfire (K52767), located approximately 10 km northwest of West Kelowna. pic.twitter.com/itvgbUKKH2
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 18, 2023
West Kelowna pic.twitter.com/UpERmITWgQ
— 1 Tall Cop (Constable Mike) (@610Mike) August 18, 2023
The scenes in West Kelowna right now #bcwildfires pic.twitter.com/gKfu3kqGc3
— Bowen Assman (@B0B0Assman) August 18, 2023
With files from The Canadian Press and Jacqueline Gelineau