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A satellite image taken shortly before the McDougall Creek wildfire erupted in West Kelowna provides valuable insight into the fire’s potential for growth, according to fire expert Mike Flannigan. The image from Planet Labs clearly shows that the fire was already active and ready to spread due to the direction of the wind. Flannigan, a professor at Thompson Rivers University, tracked the fire as it moved towards West Kelowna, noting its rapid growth.

By the evening of August 17, the wildfire had already expanded to 1,100 hectares and was exhibiting Rank 5 fire behavior, indicating that it had reached dangerous levels. The arrival of a dry cold front further fueled the fire, pushing it eastward into the Okanagan Valley. According to Flannigan, the extreme fire conditions were aggravated by the drought, making it a textbook case of an explosive fire.

As a result of the fire, a strategic evacuation was conducted in parts of West Kelowna, displacing thousands of residents. The fire spread across Okanagan Lake and burned a significant number of homes. The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus was also evacuated, and embers from the fire led to the landfill in Kelowna catching fire.

The severity of the fire prompted the province to declare a state of emergency in the area. Access to the region has been restricted, with visitors banned from using temporary accommodations. As of August 21, the McDougall Creek wildfire has burned 11,000 hectares, but cooler temperatures have helped reduce its intensity. However, firefighters are still working tirelessly to contain the fire and protect urban areas.

According to Flannigan, the fire’s cause is still under investigation, but the dry conditions and other factors have created extremely favorable conditions for such fires. He expressed concern that the fire season may continue for longer, with more hot, dry, and windy days ahead. This year’s wildfires in Canada, including in British Columbia, have already surpassed previous records in terms of the area burned, and the fire activity has required the deployment of thousands of firefighters and international assistance.

Flannigan emphasized the ongoing challenges and the toll it takes on firefighters, both physically and mentally. He stressed that despite some temporary relief, the fire season is not over, and vigilance is necessary.

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