Amid the devastation of wildfires on both sides of Okanagan Lake, West Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 fire chief is convinced his city, Kelowna, and Lake Country will recover and emerge stronger.
香蕉视频直播楾his event will leave a long-lasting scar on the community,香蕉视频直播� said Jason Brolund during a regional update on the wildfire situation in the Central Okanagan. 香蕉视频直播淚 have already seen how the community is coming together. A lot of good work is being done. We are an army out there.香蕉视频直播�
Brolund noted that 41 departments across B.C. have sent personnel and equipment to help fight fires in the Central Okanagan.
香蕉视频直播淗ow do I begin to thank all of those fire chiefs? I will find a way to pay you back.香蕉视频直播�
READ MORE: Community leaders urge calm and patience as crews battle Okanagan wildfires
Brolund said several structures were lost Friday (Aug. 19), but didn香蕉视频直播檛 provide an exact number. He added that a dedicated team will soon begin the process of determining property losses.
香蕉视频直播淢any of these areas still aren香蕉视频直播檛 safe,香蕉视频直播� he explained. 香蕉视频直播淔ires are still burning in many areas.香蕉视频直播�
Brolund also addressed property owners who want to know when they can go home.
香蕉视频直播淭he answer there is that we don香蕉视频直播檛 know. I know it香蕉视频直播檚 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.香蕉视频直播�
Brolund said crews also saved the almost complete Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant. The $75 million facility is expected to go online this fall.
香蕉视频直播淲e were not going to let it burn down,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭he fire burned over it, and it香蕉视频直播檚 not damaged.香蕉视频直播�
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.
香蕉视频直播淲e had fire crews on the ground and BC Wildfire from the air. This is unprecedented香蕉视频直播t香蕉视频直播檚 amazing and a prime example of what香蕉视频直播檚 happening out there.香蕉视频直播�
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.
香蕉视频直播淲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.香蕉视频直播�
Whiting said several structures were burned yesterday in the Wilden neighbourhood, but did not provide a specific number.
香蕉视频直播淲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.香蕉视频直播�
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.
香蕉视频直播淚 know it香蕉视频直播檚 been a trying time for everyone, especially those who have been evacuated,香蕉视频直播� added. 香蕉视频直播淲e will do our best to get you back into your communities and back into your homes.香蕉视频直播�
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.
香蕉视频直播淲e still have critically dry conditions and difficult days ahead.香蕉视频直播�
He added that smokey conditions linger, causing limited visibility for aircrews.
香蕉视频直播淎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.香蕉视频直播�
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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