- A Saturday windstorm spread fires around northern Okanagan Lake, forcing thousands of residents to flee and destroying hundreds of homes.
- Late Saturday, sustained 85 km/h winds pushed the blaze north, causing Westside Road residents to run for their lives as the fire quintupled in size over five hours and jumped Highway 97.
- Jeff Moore, whose cabin was on Okanagan Lake, watched his family’s summer home of 31 years burn down on Saturday, saying homes around him began to catch fire and it 'changed the whole game.'
- Evacuees described seeing an orange glow, with Atlyn Becker stating it was bright enough to look like a movie location, while Gord Ross reported exploding propane tanks and black smoke.
- Four evacuation orders for hundreds of properties remain in place from the Okanagan Indian Band, Spallumcheen, the Regional District of North Okanagan, and Splatsin; B.C. wildfire officials reported no significant growth on Monday.
More than 1,300 firefighters are currently battling the Bradley Creek wildfire in British Columbia, which has led to 37 evacuation orders affecting around 8,000 residents. The fire has rapidly spread, fueled by sustained winds of 85 to 100 kilometres per hour, and has destroyed hundreds of homes.78
Evacuees have described terrifying scenes as they fled. Atlyn Becker recounted seeing an orange glow from her truck, while Gord Ross witnessed propane tanks exploding near his home. Louis Fred noted that he had never seen anything like it in his lifetime, as embers singed his son’s hair.56
Okanagan Indian Band Chief Dan Wilson described the aftermath as looking like a war zone, with about 230 homes lost. Cliff Chapman, director of wildfire operations, stated that the fire's growth was unprecedented due to the extreme winds.
One resident, Jeff Moore, a retired forestry firefighter, watched helplessly as his family’s summer home of 31 years burned down. He initially stayed behind to protect the property but was forced to flee on a neighbor’s boat as the fire's behavior changed rapidly. “When things go over the top like this, there’s only so much that can be done,” he said.34
As of Tuesday, the fire is mapped at 2,852 hectares, with ongoing efforts to control it. B.C. Wildfire Officials reported no significant growth on Monday, as crews continue to work on the fire's flanks and mop up hotspots around homes.
“Fire behavior changed dramatically late Saturday as 85–100 km/h winds pushed flames north; the fast-moving blaze quintupled in size over five hours and jumped Highway 97. With 37 evacuation orders affecting about 8,000 people, B.C. Minister of Emergency Management Kelly Greene said 'the single most important thing you can do is leave immediately.'”
Global News
