At least 58 structures have been confirmed to have been lost or damaged in Central Okanagan wildfires, and that number is expected to climb.

sa国际传媒淚 want to share some news that will cause many of you great relief, but I also acknowledge it will cause many of you ongoing and increased anguish,sa国际传媒� West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund said during a regional wildfire update on Monday (Aug. 21). sa国际传媒淚 can report today that we have a loss estimate for the neighbourhoods we have visited. It represents whole and partial losses, and we estimate there are approximately 50 structures.sa国际传媒�

Brolund did not say which neighbourhoods sustained those losses but added the Smith Creek, Tallus Ridge, Shannon Lake, Lenz Road, and Rose Valley communities have had no structural losses.

Canada Task Force 1, a heavy urban search and rescue unit, is conducting the property loss assessment.

sa国际传媒淲e are not done yet,sa国际传媒� said Brolund. sa国际传媒淭he most damaged neighbourhoods are yet to come.sa国际传媒�

He also thanked the public for donations of food and beverages that are showing up at West Kelowna fire halls but noted it is becoming overwhelming and unsafe, and encouraged people to show their gratitude by writing a card or posting to social media.

sa国际传媒淭hank the firefighters that are out there kicking ass,sa国际传媒� Brolund said. sa国际传媒淐ontinue to bring your kids by the fire hall and teach them what it means to be a public servant.sa国际传媒�

READ MORE: Smokey with a chance of rain; West Kelowna McDougall Creek Wildfire update

In Kelowna, Fire Chief Travis Whiting confirmed that five homes have been lost in the Walroy Lake wildfire.

He said firefighters have been working hard to protect hundreds more homes.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 long days and I want to pass on my deep appreciation to my crews out there today protecting this community and the crews doing those extra shifts.sa国际传媒�

Whiting said that there is currently no significant fire threat, but communities affected by the blaze need to be made safe before evacuees can return home.

sa国际传媒淚 can tell you that it is one of the highest priorities for us to get people back into their homes and sleeping in their own beds as soon as we can.sa国际传媒�

READ MORE: No growth in Kelowna wildfire, but air quality hazardous

Lake Country Fire Chief Darren Lee reported destroyed and damaged structures in his community and also told a story of heroics.

sa国际传媒淭here was an engine crew from Ellison that saved a complete condominium complex on their own. I think they deserve huge credit for that.sa国际传媒�

READ MORE: No growth in Lake Country wildfire, air quality hazardous

At least three homes have been lost on the North Westside, according to Fire Chief Ross Kotscherofski, who added that the Wilsonsa国际传媒檚 Landing department has been heavily impacted by the McDougall Creek blaze.

sa国际传媒淪everal of these firefighters have confirmed that they no longer have a home,sa国际传媒� he added. sa国际传媒淭hey want to help their neighbours and they come from their hotel in Kelowna with nothing but a suitcase because thatsa国际传媒檚 all that they have left. They show up every single day and have promised me they will continue to do so.sa国际传媒�

All the fire chiefs reported subdued wildfire activity in their communities over the past 24 hours with crews having made good progress and no structural losses over that time period.

Once Canada Task Force 1 has completed property loss assessments in West Kelowna, the team will move on to Kelowna and Lake Country.

Heavy smoke is still hampering firefighting efforts, including the ability to accurately map wildfires.

sa国际传媒淗opefully it will lift this afternoon,sa国际传媒� said Jerrad Schroeder, deputy manager with the Kamloops Fire Centre. sa国际传媒淲e are expecting to continue to see these more seasonal temperatures in the mid-twenties and the humidity will be working as well in our favour.sa国际传媒�

Schroeder added winds are also expected to shift this afternoon and into tomorrow, but will not cause any of the Central Okanagan fires to spread.

sa国际传媒淚t is effectively another good day to fight fires.sa国际传媒�

READ MORE: Crater Creek wildfire near Keremeos grows 4,000 hectares overnight

gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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