Okanagan wildfires force more evacuations as First Nation assesses losses

Wildfires burning on the west side and north end of Okanagan Lake have forced more evacuation orders and alerts across British Columbia.

The Central Okanagan Emergency Management issued a further evacuation order for the Quilpituk Creek wildfire, bringing the total number of properties evacuated under its jurisdiction to more than 2,200. The Quilpituk Creek fire was discovered Saturday and measures two square kilometres.

Further north on Okanagan Lake, the Regional District of North Okanagan expanded evacuation orders and alerts for the Bradley Creek wildfire. Thousands of residents have been evacuated from the Okanagan Indian Band's main reserve, the township of Spallumcheen, and the Splatsin First Nation.

Winds gusting up to 115 kilometres per hour over the weekend fanned the fires, destroying homes as they burned to the water line. Cliff Chapman, director of wildfire operations for the provincial wildfire service, said in an update that they had never seen wildfire conditions like this because of the prolonged drought in the region.

Dan Wilson, Chief of the Okanagan Indian Band, said officials don't yet know the full extent of the wildfire's destruction on community homes and infrastructure, and he could not say when residents will be allowed to return. "The fire is still active. Firefighters are still working in areas that remain dangerous. There are places where crews still can't safely get in," Wilson said in a video posted on Facebook.

Power damage has been extensive. B.C. Hydro reported the fire caused significant damage to its equipment, knocking out power to thousands of customers across the Okanagan. Damaged power lines, unsafe trees, damaged infrastructure and water systems still require assessment before residents can safely return.