West Kelowna Wildfires

2009 West Kelowna Wildfires
Location West Kelowna and surrounding area
Statistics
Date(s) July 18, 2009 (2009-07-18)
Burned area 24,406 acres / 9,877 hectares
Cause Unknown
Land use Parkland, Rural
Buildings
destroyed		 4

On July 18, 2009, 3 wildfires broke out around the city of West Kelowna, British Columbia during extremely dry and windy conditions. Over 20,000 people were evacuated as a result of the fires. 9,877 hectares / 24,406 acres of forest was burned along with 4 homes. All 3 fires were human caused but the exact ignition source is still unknown.

Glenrosa Fire

The Glenrosa Fire started at around 2:30 pm above the Glenrosa subdivision in West Kelowna, British Columbia. The fire quickly exploded due to extremely dry conditions and heavy down slope winds. The fire posed an immediate threat to the entire subdivision, over 4,500 homes were evacuated affecting over 10,000 people. Incredibly, only 4 homes were lost and the fire was quickly contained a few days later after burning 400 hectares / 988 acres of forest.

Rose Valley Fire

The Rose Valley Fire started at around 7:30 pm, July 18, 2009, behind the Rose Valley subdivision on the east side of West Kelowna. The fire burned aggressively overnight and was estimated at 150 hectares by 9:00 pm, July 19. Over 8,000 people were evacuated but no structures were lost or damaged. Fire activity remained minimal and it was fully contained a few days later.

Terrace Mountain Fire

The Terrace Mountain Fire started at around 5:30 pm, July 18, 2009, in the mountains behind Fintry, British Columbia, just north of West Kelowna. The fire was considered to be the least threatening of the 3 fires and burned with minimal suppression efforts for the first 12 hours.

July 19th (Terrace Mtn fire)

The Terrace Mountain Fire grows to 875 hectares by 9:00 pm. Dense dry fuels, high temperatures, low humidity and moderate winds contribute to the fires growth. Resources on site include 70 firefighters, 4 water-bucketing helicopters, heavy equipment and air tankers. There are no evacuations or alerts at this point although the fire is moving east towards Okanagan lake.

July 20th (Terrace Mtn fire)

9:00 am, the fire did not grow overnight. Evacuation alerts are in place for residents in the back country west of Fintry.

10:00 pm, the fire grows to 1,050 hectares and is 15-20% contained.

July 21st (Terrace Mtn fire)

9:00 am, minimal growth reported overnight, now 30% contained.

9:00 pm, fire grows to 1,300 hectares.

July 22nd (Terrace Mtn fire)

9:00 am, fire estimated at 2000 hectares.

12:00 pm, 13 people evacuated from Fintry High Farm. 2,200 people along Westside Road communities are now under evacuation alert.

July 23rd (Terrace Mtn fire)

5:00 am, extreme fire activity reported.

8:00 am, fire estimated at 4,000 hectares. 2,200 people now on evacuation order.

July 24th (Terrace Mtn fire)

9:00 am, rain slows fire growth. Now estimated at 4,400 hectares.

July 31st (Terrace Mtn fire)

The fire is now 90% contained. Fire is still estimated at 4,400 hectares.

August 1st (Terrace Mtn fire)

A massive flare up on the east flank sends the fire burning towards the lake. 1,200 people are placed on an evacuation order and another 2,500 on evacuation alert.

August 2nd (Terrace Mtn fire)

8:00 am, the fire is now estimated at 7,000 hectares. 2,700 residents are on evacuation order.

August 3rd (Terrace Mtn fire)

8:00 am, no growth overnight.

August 5th (Terrace Mtn fire)

The fire is officially mapped at 7,500 hectares, activity remains minimal.

August 8th (Terrace Mtn fire)

11:00 am, the fire is now estimated at 8,550 hectares in size.

August 9th (Terrace Mtn fire)

11:30 am, the fire grows slightly to 8,850 hectares.

August 13th (Terrace Mtn fire)

Cool weather helps with fire suppression efforts. The fire is now 9000 hectares in size and is 75% contained.

August 14th (Terrace Mtn fire)

Heavy rains put an end to the Terrace Mountain Fire nearly a month after it started. Final size is 9277 hectares. No structures were lost.

External links

Castanet news reports - West Kelowna Wildfires

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