VANCOUVER _ As an out-of-control wildfire still burns near West Kelowna, B.C., officials in the region say evacuated residents should brace themselves for their return to neighbourhoods they may no longer recognize.
Officials from the Regional District of Central Okanagan say crews are still busy putting out hot spots and repairing damaged infrastructure affected by the McDougall Creek wildfire.
Lance Kayfish, the City of Kelowna’s risk manager, cautioned people about re-entering their communities once evacuation orders are lifted.
Kayfish told an information session held online Tuesday that people need “to have a heightened level of caution and safety” when they explore their neighbourhood because it will not be exactly as they left it.
He says it’s likely that wildlife including deer and bears will be in areas where there’s been an absence of human activity during the evacuation period.
Some areas, he said, may still have active fire hot spots or “ash pits,” while fire-damaged trees may be in danger of falling.
