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A satellite image taken just before a wildfire broke out in West Kelowna showed that the fire was set to rapidly expand, according to a wildfire expert. The photo, provided by satellite imaging company Planet Labs, displayed the McDougall Creek wildfire on August 17, shortly before strong winds and high temperatures intensified the fire. Professor Mike Flannigan from Thompson Rivers University analyzed the image and observed that the direction of the wind indicated the fire’s potential for growth. Flannigan traced the fire’s progression to West Kelowna using the available infrared satellite imagery, which did not offer as much detail as the Planet Labs image but still reflected the fire’s expansion.

By the evening of August 17, the wildfire had reached 1,100 hectares and exhibited Rank 5 fire behavior, characterized by flames spreading into the treetops. The BC Wildfire Service classified firefighting activities during this stage as extremely hazardous. Shortly after, a dry cold front caused gusty winds that pushed the fire eastward into the Okanagan Valley. Planet Labs explained that delays in orbital photography and excessive smoke made it challenging to capture accurate images of the growing fire.

The combination of the dry conditions and drought exacerbated the fire, creating a potentially explosive situation. Consequently, emergency personnel conducted a tactical evacuation in parts of West Kelowna as thousands of residents were displaced. The fire crossed Okanagan Lake, affecting a significant number of homes and prompting the evacuation alert of 27,000 individuals across the province. The fire likely spread to the north of Kelowna as burning debris carried by the wind landed on the opposite side of the lake.

As a result of the extreme fire weather and the threats posed to human lives and properties in Kelowna and the Shuswap Lake area, among others, the province declared an official state of emergency. Authorities advised against non-essential visits to the region and barred visitors from utilizing temporary accommodations in the South Okanagan. The McDougall Creek wildfire burned 11,000 hectares by August 21, but cooler temperatures and smoky skies reduced its intensity. Nevertheless, firefighters from different regions continued to combat the fire and protect affected urban areas.

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund confirmed that at least 50 structures had been damaged or destroyed, though damage assessments for the most affected neighborhoods were yet to be undertaken. While the cause of the fire remained under investigation, Flannigan emphasized that conditions for extreme fire weather had aligned on Thursday. The severity of the drought and the dryness of the land made extinguishing the fire extremely challenging. This year’s wildfire season has been devastating for British Columbia and the whole of Canada, with over 14 million hectares of land already burned—a significant increase compared to previous records. Despite some relief in recent days, 3,500 firefighters and numerous aircraft were still actively engaging in firefighting efforts across the province. Additional reinforcements from Mexico and South Africa were also expected to arrive soon. Flannigan expressed concern that if the weather conditions worsened again, more hot, dry, and windy days could extend the fire season, potentially jeopardizing the firefighters’ well-being.

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