Kelowna: A local state of emergency has been issued for the City of West Kelowna and part of the Westbank First Nation after a nearby wildfire rapidly expanded.
Regional authorities have also placed 831 properties on evacuation order and another 5,700 on alert after the McDougall Creek fire grew to three square-kilometres in a matter of hours.
A forecast of brisk winds and dry lightning is expected to make the next few days the most challenging yet in the province’s wildfire season.
The B.C. Wildfire Service is urging anyone who may be at risk to put together a “grab-and-go” bag and respect any evacuation orders. — Canadian Press