Homes destroyed by fast-moving wildfire as thousands ordered to evacuate in B.C.'s Okanagan [View all]

Officials say a significant number of homes have been destroyed by a fast-burning, "unpredictable" wildfire in the West Kelowna area as crews fight through what the B.C. Wildfire Service has predicted will be the most challenging days of the province's fire season.

The extreme conditions in the area are not expected to let up over the next 36 hours, and fires across the province may see significant growth, provincial officials said at a news conference Friday afternoon.

More than 2,400 properties are under an evacuation order, and more than 4,800 properties are under an evacuation alert due to the encroaching McDougall Creek wildfire, which grew more than a hundredfold — from 64 hectares to 6,800 hectares (68 square kilometres) — in just 24 hours.

"It was a devastating night last night, probably the most challenging of my career," said West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund about the destructive fire. "We fought hard last night to protect our community.

"We fought 100 years worth of fires all in one night."

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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/what-you-need-to-know-about-bc-wildfires-aug-18-2023-1.6940311