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A satellite image, taken just hours before the McDougall Creek wildfire sparked a “tactical evacuation” in West Kelowna, shows that the fire was ready to grow, according to fire expert Mike Flannigan from Thompson Rivers University. The image, provided by satellite imaging company Planet Labs, clearly illustrates that the fire was active and primed for significant growth due to the wind direction. Flannigan noted that the fire’s activity at 11 a.m. indicated that the day would be an active one for wildfires.

As the fire advanced eastward towards West Kelowna, Flannigan tracked its growth using infrared satellite imagery. By 6 p.m. on Thursday, the wildfire had expanded to 1,100 hectares and displayed Rank 5 fire behavior, making firefighting operations extremely dangerous. A dry cold front later contributed to the fire’s rapid spread east into the Okanagan Valley.

The extreme fire conditions, exacerbated by drought, led to a “textbook, classic situation for explosive fire,” said Flannigan. Consequently, emergency personnel initiated a tactical evacuation in parts of West Kelowna, displacing numerous residents. The fire also crossed Okanagan Lake, aided by burning debris propelled by the wind.

The situation became so severe that the province declared an official state of emergency due to the threats posed to people and property in areas such as Kelowna and Shuswap Lake. The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus was evacuated, and the fire even reached the Kelowna landfill. Visitors were banned from temporary accommodations in the South Okanagan, and outsiders have been discouraged from visiting the region.

As of August 21, the McDougall Creek wildfire had burned 11,000 hectares, but cooler temperatures and smoky skies have helped reduce its intensity. Nevertheless, firefighters from across the province continue to battle the fire. West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund reported that at least 50 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fire, with some neighborhoods yet to be surveyed.

Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, Flannigan emphasized that all the necessary factors for extreme fire weather were present. He expressed concern about the length of the fire season and the well-being of the firefighters.

This wildfire adds to an already devastating season in British Columbia and Canada, with over 14 million hectares of land burned across the country. B.C. has also broken its record for the most area burned in a single season, surpassing 1.7 million hectares. While fire activity has decreased compared to the previous week, thousands of firefighters and numerous aircraft are still engaged in suppressing fires. Additional firefighters from Mexico and South Africa are expected to arrive later this week. Flannigan further emphasized his worries about the potential for fire weather conditions to worsen again in the coming days.

“It’s not over,” he concluded.

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