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㽶ƵֱSave the rest of the city㽶Ƶֱ: Reflecting on Okanagan Mountain Park 2003 wildfire

The Okanagan Mountain Park wildfire started Aug. 16, 2003, with a lightning strike
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The Okanagan Mountain Park fire in 2003 burned 25,600 hectares, forced evacuations in Kelowna and Naramata impacting more than 33,000 people, and destroyed 239 homes. (File photo)

As Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas remarked, 㽶Ƶֱ It is an event that is etched in the minds of all those who experienced it in 2003.㽶Ƶֱ

The city marked the 20th Anniversary of the Okanagan Mountain Park Fire during a news conference Wednesday, Aug. 16).

㽶ƵֱWe all have our own stories and our own memories,㽶Ƶֱ added Dyas. 㽶ƵֱWe are grateful that no lives were lost and our community strength allowed us to recover from the second largest civilian evacuation in Canadian history.㽶Ƶֱ

READ MORE: Lessons learned from the Okanagan Mountain Park fire

The news conference also featured former mayor Walter Gray, who was in office in 2003, and former fire chief Gerry Zimmerman.

The Okanagan Mountain Park wildfire started around 4 a.m. on Aug. 16, 2003, with a lightning strike near Rattlesnake Island.

It eventually burned 239 homes and forced the evacuation of more than 30,000 people.

Despite the destruction, Zimmerman said it could have been much worse.

㽶ƵֱWe were ready to start bulldozing a swath right around Barnaby Road to try to save the rest of the city. Our fear was it was going to come into the city.㽶Ƶֱ

That㽶Ƶֱs when the skies opened up, recounted Zimmerman.

㽶ƵֱIt started to rain. We couldn㽶Ƶֱt believe it.㽶Ƶֱ

It was the same day, Zimmerman added, that three groups of firefighters had been trapped by 400-foot flames.

㽶ƵֱWe got two of the groups out, and one we couldn㽶Ƶֱt, they were trapped up in Kettle Valley. They got to a safe spot and climbed under their trucks, but they thought they㽶Ƶֱd had it.㽶Ƶֱ

Those firefighters were all rescued.

READ MORE: Wildfire experiences shared with firefighters

Zimmerman said municipal departments and wildfire crews are much better prepared today.

㽶ƵֱThey㽶Ƶֱre co-ordinated with the forest service, we weren㽶Ƶֱt at that time. We were too worried about jurisdictional boundaries. They got thrown out and thank goodness they did.㽶Ƶֱ

Current Fire Chief Travis Whiting said 2023 has been a tough year and there is still a long way to go.

㽶ƵֱMy thoughts are with those who have been impacted so far and I hope for a safe end to this season for everybody involved,㽶Ƶֱ he said.

He also praised the firefighters who battled the Okanagan Mountain Park wildfire.

㽶ƵֱThe crews that took on that fire worked incredible hours in difficult conditions to protect their community and their homes. Our firefighters were joined by B.C. wildfire service, Canadian Armed Forces, RCMP, and local fire departments from across the province who came together in an amazing show of support.㽶Ƶֱ

Whiting also thanked emergency support service volunteers for their tireless efforts in assisting evacuees.

The Okanagan Mountain Park Fire eventually scorched more than 250 square kilometres and most of the trees in the park.

READ MORE: McDougall Creek fire above West Kelowna grows to 4 hectares



gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com

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Gary Barnes

About the Author: Gary Barnes

Journalist and broadcaster for three decades.
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