Wilsonsa国际传媒檚 Landing Fire Chief Paul Zydowicz says the McDougall Creek Wildfire continues to be a sa国际传媒榥ightmare.sa国际传媒�

sa国际传媒淭he force, speed, and intensity of the fire is unprecedented in our community. Two years ago as we worked the White Rock Lake fire we thought at the time that it was the biggest fire of our lives. It pales to what we just experienced.sa国际传媒�

During a regional wildfire update Thursday (Aug. 24), an emotional Zydowicz said 13 of his firefighters have lost their homes to the McDougall Creek fire.

sa国际传媒淥ur community has suffered an incredible blow, yet from the very first spark you showed up and fought this fire while your own homes were burning behind you. I have no words to describe the pride that I feel to be part of this team.sa国际传媒�

He also thanked Northwestside Fire Chief Ross Kotscherofski, Deputy Chief Shawn Barnes, and their crews for ongoing mutual aid. Zydowicz expressed his sorrow for everyone who has lost a home or property to the fire.

sa国际传媒淲hen I say we are with you, know that I mean it. We understand the pain and grief you are feeling because we are feeling it too.sa国际传媒�

As of yesterday (Aug. 23) those who have lost their homes, or sustained property damage, are able to access information on the . The site was offline briefly due to high demand.

sa国际传媒淔or some of you, yesterday brought relief, while for others the news was devastating,sa国际传媒� said Loyal Wooldridge, Regional District Okanagan (RDCO) chair.

I want to express my deepest condolences to each and every person who lost their home. Please know you re not alone in this, and as a regional community, we are there with you.sa国际传媒�

Wooldridge asked for patience as firefighters, emergency responders, EOC staff and emergency support services volunteers continue the work and recovery efforts that are still needed.

Kelowna Fire Chief Travis Whitingsa国际传媒檚 voice cracked ever so slightly as he was giving the news that with the Walroy Lake wildfire now classified as being held, all evacuated Kelowna residents will be returning home, hopefully by the end of the day.

sa国际传媒淭his is really exciting news. I can tell you at the fire hall the mood is very, very high and very, very positive this morning,sa国际传媒� Whiting said.

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund cautioned residents they will see increased smoke in the Shannon Lake neighbourhood today as a result of hand ignitions by BC Wildfire crews to eliminate unburned fuel.

sa国际传媒淲e have one of the largest structural fire departments assembled at the base of that neighbourhood ready to protect the homes,sa国际传媒� he added. Isa国际传媒檓 not expecting to have to use it. Donsa国际传媒檛 be scared, donsa国际传媒檛 be worried when you see the smoke, see it as a sign of expert people doing good work.sa国际传媒�

Brolund addressed a question that many residents have been asking; sa国际传媒榳hen do we get to go home?sa国际传媒�

sa国际传媒淚 donsa国际传媒檛 have a crystal ball to tell you that,sa国际传媒� he said. We need to make sure those areas are safe. I want to make it clear, we are still firefighting.sa国际传媒�

More wildfire evacuation downgrades are expected over the next few days for Central Okanagan residents.

- with files from Brendan Shykora-

READ MORE: PHOTOS: McDougall Creek wildfire damage in West Kelowna

READ MORE: sa国际传媒業n my blood to fightsa国际传媒�: Shuswap residents tell why they defy fire evacuation

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on and subscribe to our daily newsletter.