UPDATE: Mt. Law wildfire still ‘out of control, but no growth reported
UPDATE Aug. 17
The Mt. Law wildfire in West Kelowna saw no significant growth Monday and remains at an estimated 800 hectares.
It was attacked by ground crews, skimmers, retardant tankers and bucketing helicopters.
Media was told a small number of structures had been affected by the fire but no further details were revealed as property owners were being notified.
Updates are posted at cordemergency.ca. There are still 461 properties on evacuation order and just over 1,900 on alert.
Officials are making it easier to connect for services. People do not have to show up in person to register with Emergency Support Services. Call: 1-833-498-3007. That is a new evacuee call centre that has been set up.
CordEmergency also wants evacuees to know that accommodation is available by calling that number or registering in person at 1480 Sutherland in Kelowna. Registration can also be done online at ess.gov.bc.ca.
(Story by Russ Byth)
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UPDATE: More properties added to evacuation alert for Mt. Law wildfire
Aug 16, 2021 | 8:00 PM
An additional 18 properties in the Regional District of the Central Okanagan and Peachland have been added to the Evacuation Alert area for the Mount Law Fire in West Kelowna.
Properties added to the existing alert area are inclusive of 4740 Trepanier Road (northwest end) to 4980 Trepanier Road (southeast end) and include:
4850 to 4855 MacKinnon Road
4802 to 4995 Trepanier Road
4902 to 4975 Star Place
Residents in the Alert areas are advised to be ready to leave their home at a moment’s notice. They should be prepared to be away from their home for an extended period of time, pre-register with ESS online at ess.gov.bc.ca, make arrangements for pets and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents.
The EOC has also expanded an Evacuation Order onto crown land in the southeast corner of the Mount Law fire. This expansion Order does not include any private property. The Gorman Mill site remains under evacuation alert.
All other Evacuation Alerts and Orders remain in effect.
For a map of the affected properties in the Central Okanagan, visit cordemergency.ca/map.
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UPDATE: Mount Law wildfire in West Kelowna, limited structural damage
Aug 16, 2021 | 8:45 AM
The West Kelowna Fire Department confirmed that a ‘small number’ of structures were damaged in the Mt. Law fire Sunday night.
Participating in a news conference with the B.C. Wildfire Services (BCWS) Monday, the fire department could not confirm how many structures were damaged, and said an assessment of the extent of the damage will be done at a later date.
The fire, which was discovered on Sunday, Aug. 15, grew to 800 hectares in size overnight, and began encroaching on properties in the Glenrosa neighbourhood of West Kelowna.
Dramatic time lapse video of the Mt. Law wildfire in #WestKelowna. Taken Sunday evening by James Pitcher from the Smith Creek area. #BCWildfire @GlobalOkanagan pic.twitter.com/DrP5vdjwfk
— Klaudia Van Emmerik (@KlaudiaGlobal) August 16, 2021
West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund said crews, assisted by crews from Peachland, were out in full force trying to push back the blaze and protect as many structures as possible.
“The fire burned rapidly, burning into the Glenrosa neighbourhood at the upper region of the city’s boundaries and then spreading downhill into the upper neighbourhoods of Glenrosa,” said Brolund.
“At the height of the fire last night we had 25 trucks from eight local fire departments on the scene, almost 80 people, 80 structural firefighters performing that work. We were very successful in the operations last night. We believe there may have been a small number of structures that sustained damage, however because of the dynamic and changing situation, today’s focus remains on firefighting,” Brolund explained.
There were also four helicopters and several air tankers called in to assist the Mt. Law firefighting efforts Sunday, and those aircraft could be accessed again today, if needed, and if conditions are favourable.
Brolund added that crews are actively fighting fires in the backyards of homes on a number of streets in the upper Glenrosa area, and operations Monday will be mainly focused on fighting those fires and protecting structures.
Eight trucks from six local fire departments comprised of 26 structural firefighters have been tasked with focusing on the backyard blazes.
The Mt. Law fire has forced the evacuation of 461 properties in West Kelowna, and people under that order are advised to register at British Columbia’s Emergency Support Services website.
The BCWS adds hotel space is at capacity in West Kelowna, and work is underway to determine other nearby communities that could have space for the Mt. Law evacuees.
The BCWS adds the weather is expected to cool over the next few days, bringing with it the chance of some precipitation, which could aid in the firefighting efforts. However, if the weather patterns change and the wind picks up, it could result in further spread and more evacuation orders, though Brolund assures people that crews are prepared for changing conditions and will adjust strategies to respond quickly to any changes.
In the meantime, people under evacuation alerts are advised to be prepared in case an evacuation order is issued by having a go-bag packed with essential and critical items, and to leave their properties as soon as an order is issued.