West Kelowna wildfire forces evacuation alert; park closed

Hundreds of residents in West Kelowna, British Columbia, were placed on evacuation alert after the fast-moving Kalamoir wildfire ignited on Tuesday. The fire came perilously close to some homes, reaching within feet of properties before being brought under control by a rapid response from municipal firefighters and aerial support.

The evacuation order was downgraded to an alert by Wednesday evening, allowing many residents to return home. However, the Kalamoir Regional Park remains closed indefinitely as safety and damage assessments are carried out. While no homes were destroyed, a pergola was lost to the flames.

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I’m happy to report that all of the residents who were forced from their homes yesterday were able to return last night. Many of them to homes that, you know, the fire had come to within inches. Firefighters stopping these fires in the backyards of these homes.

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund reported that firefighters successfully defended homes, preventing any structural losses. He acknowledged the close calls many residents experienced, with the fire encroaching significantly on their properties. "Firefighters stopping these fires in the backyards of these homes," he stated.

Brolund cautioned that the current wildfire season is likely to be lengthy and that residents must remain vigilant. "This wildfire risk is not going away," he emphasized, urging preparedness for potential future incidents. The incident served as a stark reminder of the ongoing wildfire threat across the region and the country.

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So, you know, yesterday was a wake-up call for residents of our community, for residents of our region and really across the country that this wildfire risk is not going away.