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A satellite image taken just hours before the McDougall Creek wildfire sparked in West Kelowna reveals how the fire was ready to grow, according to fire expert Mike Flannigan. The image, provided by satellite imaging company Planet Labs, shows the active fire and the direction of the wind, indicating that the fire was about to intensify. Flannigan, who researches fire weather and climate change at Thompson Rivers University, stated that the fire’s activity in the morning signified that it would be a busy day for firefighting.

As the day progressed, the fire spread eastward, and by Thursday evening, it had grown to 1,100 hectares with a Rank 5 fire behavior, making firefighting extremely dangerous. Strong, hot winds from a dry cold front pushed the fire into the Okanagan Valley. Planet Labs mentioned that the delay caused by orbital restrictions and the dense smoke hindered their ability to capture images of the fire’s growth.

The fire’s explosive behavior was worsened by the drought conditions in the area, according to Flannigan. As a result, emergency personnel conducted a tactical evacuation in parts of West Kelowna, displacing thousands of residents. The fire also spread north of Kelowna, carried by burning debris carried by the wind. The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus was evacuated, and the fire even reached Kelowna’s landfill.

The extreme fire weather and the threat to people and property prompted the province to declare an official state of emergency. The McDougall Creek wildfire has burned 11,000 hectares as of Monday, August 21, but cooler temperatures and smoky skies have reduced its intensity. Firefighters from various regions are actively working to extinguish structure fires and defend the urban area.

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund reported that at least 50 structures have been damaged or destroyed, with more areas yet to be surveyed. While the exact cause of the fire is under investigation, Flannigan pointed out that all the ingredients for extreme fire weather had come together. The devastating wildfire season in British Columbia and Canada has already seen over 14 million hectares burned across the country, surpassing the previous record. Although fire activity has calmed down, Flannigan expressed concern that the conditions for fire weather may worsen again in the coming week.

This ongoing fire season poses risks to the mental and physical health of firefighters, and it is far from over.

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