Home India

Know about Kelowna city of British Columbia facing worst wildfire season

The city of Kelowna of British Columbia, located on Canada's west coast, has declared a state of emergency due to escalation of wildfires.

By Ground report 21 Aug 2023

New Update

Climate change will increase wildfire risk and lengthen fire seasons

Kelowna, a city in British Columbia, declares a state of emergency due to escalating wildfires.
Evacuation orders in British Columbia expand to 30,000 homes, with 35,000 people ordered to leave.
Kelowna plays a vital role in the province's economy and community, with tourism, agriculture, and local businesses at risk.
Kelowna's economy includes diverse industries like agriculture, technology, healthcare, and tourism.
History of wildfires in B.C., including the devastating 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park Wildfire, highlights the region's vulnerability to fire outbreaks.

The city of Kelowna of British Columbia, located on Canada's west coast, has declared a state of emergency due to the alarming escalation of wildfires. Over the past 24 hours alone, these devastating fires have consumed approximately 10,500 hectares of land.

In British Columbia, evacuation orders expanded from 15,000 homes on Friday to 30,000 by Saturday evening, with an additional 36,000 homes on alert. Officials stressed the importance of following evacuation orders for the safety of both residents and first responders. Around 35,000 people were ordered to leave, and 30,000 were told to prepare for evacuation, as stated by Premier David Eby.

The province's Forest Fire Service reports an exponential 6,000-hectare growth within 24 hours. A state of emergency has been declared to ensure a rapid and effective response, granting immediate access to necessary firefighting resources.

publive-image — British Columbia fire. Photo Credit: Sarah Smith/Twitter

Kelowna City and Its Importance

The city of Kelowna, nestled in the heart of British Columbia, is facing a critical juncture as wildfires continue to ravage the region. Known for its vibrant economy and picturesque landscapes, Kelowna's significance goes beyond its stunning vistas; it plays a crucial role in the province's economic vitality and community spirit.

The authorities have issued an emergency declaration in Kelowna, a Canadian city with over 140,000 residents, due to a spreading wildfire. Simultaneously, evacuations are underway in Yellowknife as fires threaten the town.

Many things, like tourism, farming, and local businesses, closely connect to Kelowna's economy. These are all at risk because of the wildfires. Tourism, which brings visitors to enjoy Kelowna's beauty, is suffering because of cancellations and closures. This means that hotels, restaurants, and fun places might not make money, which affects the whole city.

The purpose of the travel restriction encompassing Kelowna is to guarantee sufficient accommodation for evacuees and emergency workers, extending to the towns of Kamloops, Oliver, Penticton, Vernon, and Osoyoos.

Kelowna has a diverse economy with industries like agriculture, manufacturing, retail trade, construction, technology, healthcare, and tourism. It is famous for its wine industry and also has a top-ranked university, a world-class hospital, a large trade school, and a major airport. Kelowna is increasingly becoming an economic powerhouse and a popular tourist destination.

Kelowna's natural environment is essential to its identity and supports the community's well-being, economy, and livability. The city boasts parks, trails, beaches, and facilities that offer various activities like hiking, biking, golfing, swimming, and boating. With a diverse economy, lively arts and culture scene, and multiple festivals and events, it fosters a strong sense of community and high quality of life.

History of wildfire

Between 2011 and 2016, the BC Wildfire Services reported that wildfires incurred a cost exceeding $900 million, scorching nearly a million hectares of land. KelownaNow recently revisited B.C.'s historical wildfire data, spanning back to the late 1800s, to identify the most destructive wildfires.

In 2003, the Okanagan Mountain Park Wildfire hit B.C. hardest. Lightning sparked the fire, causing $200 million in damage, 33,000 evacuations, and 230 lost homes across 25,600 hectares. Another major blaze, the 2003 McLure Wildfire, started from a cigarette, burning 26,420 hectares, destroying 72 homes, and evacuating 3,800.

The fire cost $31.1 million to put out and inflicted $8.2 million in property damage. In 1994, a fire near Penticton forced 3,500 to evacuate, destroyed 18 homes, and consumed 5,500 hectares.

Salmon Arm's 1998 wildfire evacuated 7,000, damaged 6,000 hectares, and caused losses in livestock, crops, and buildings. In 1886, Vancouver's Great Fire destroyed most buildings, with twelve lives lost.