At least 58 structures have been confirmed to have been lost or damaged in Central Okanagan wildfires, and that number is expected to climb.
鈥淚 want to share some news that will cause many of you great relief, but I also acknowledge it will cause many of you ongoing and increased anguish,鈥� West 琉璃神社 Fire Chief Jason Brolund said during a regional wildfire update on Monday (Aug. 21). 鈥淚 can report today that we have a loss estimate for the neighbourhoods we have visited. It represents whole and partial losses, and we estimate there are approximately 50 structures.鈥�
Brolund did not say which neighbourhoods sustained those losses but added the Smith Creek, Tallus Ridge, Shannon Lake, Lenz Road, and Rose Valley communities have had no structural losses.
Canada Task Force 1, a heavy urban search and rescue unit, is conducting the property loss assessment.
鈥淲e are not done yet,鈥� said Brolund. 鈥淭he most damaged neighbourhoods are yet to come.鈥�
He also thanked the public for donations of food and beverages that are showing up at West 琉璃神社 fire halls but noted it is becoming overwhelming and unsafe, and encouraged people to show their gratitude by writing a card or posting to social media.
鈥淭hank the firefighters that are out there kicking ass,鈥� Brolund said. 鈥淐ontinue to bring your kids by the fire hall and teach them what it means to be a public servant.鈥�
READ MORE: Smokey with a chance of rain; West 琉璃神社 McDougall Creek Wildfire update
In 琉璃神社, Fire Chief Travis Whiting confirmed that five homes have been lost in the Walroy Lake wildfire.
He said firefighters have been working hard to protect hundreds more homes.
鈥淚t鈥檚 long days and I want to pass on my deep appreciation to my crews out there today protecting this community and the crews doing those extra shifts.鈥�
Whiting said that there is currently no significant fire threat, but communities affected by the blaze need to be made safe before evacuees can return home.
鈥淚 can tell you that it is one of the highest priorities for us to get people back into their homes and sleeping in their own beds as soon as we can.鈥�
READ MORE: No growth in 琉璃神社 wildfire, but air quality hazardous
Lake Country Fire Chief Darren Lee reported destroyed and damaged structures in his community and also told a story of heroics.
鈥淭here was an engine crew from Ellison that saved a complete condominium complex on their own. I think they deserve huge credit for that.鈥�
READ MORE: No growth in Lake Country wildfire, air quality hazardous
At least three homes have been lost on the North Westside, according to Fire Chief Ross Kotscherofski, who added that the Wilson鈥檚 Landing department has been heavily impacted by the McDougall Creek blaze.
鈥淪everal of these firefighters have confirmed that they no longer have a home,鈥� he added. 鈥淭hey want to help their neighbours and they come from their hotel in 琉璃神社 with nothing but a suitcase because that鈥檚 all that they have left. They show up every single day and have promised me they will continue to do so.鈥�
All the fire chiefs reported subdued wildfire activity in their communities over the past 24 hours with crews having made good progress and no structural losses over that time period.
Once Canada Task Force 1 has completed property loss assessments in West 琉璃神社, the team will move on to 琉璃神社 and Lake Country.
Heavy smoke is still hampering firefighting efforts, including the ability to accurately map wildfires.
鈥淗opefully it will lift this afternoon,鈥� said Jerrad Schroeder, deputy manager with the Kamloops Fire Centre. 鈥淲e are expecting to continue to see these more seasonal temperatures in the mid-twenties and the humidity will be working as well in our favour.鈥�
Schroeder added winds are also expected to shift this afternoon and into tomorrow, but will not cause any of the Central Okanagan fires to spread.
鈥淚t is effectively another good day to fight fires.鈥�
READ MORE: Crater Creek wildfire near Keremeos grows 4,000 hectares overnight
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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