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PHOTOS: Devastation captured from White Rock Lake wildfire

At least 85 homes, and counting, destroyed by blaze near Vernon, West Kelowna, Falkland, Monte Lake

While further structural assessments are still needed, at least 85 homes have been destroyed by the White Rock Lake wildfire.

Those are just the numbers, so far, on Westside: 75 within the Central Okanagan Regional District and 10 on the Okanagan Indian Band reserve. At least one OKIB business was also claimed and another four homes were significantly damaged.

These figures do not include the damage in Monte Lake, where numbers are not known, but extensive damage occurred.

The fire was sparked by lightning, according to the BC Wildfire Service. It was discovered July 13 and is approximately 10 kilometres west of Vernon and can be seen from Falkland, Monte Lake, Kelowna, Vernon, Spallumcheen and Armstrong as it continues to burn down the hillside towards Westside Road and has even crossed the road and reached Okanagan Lake.

While recent rainfall was a welcome reprieve, conditions are still tinder dry.

“The Drought Code for the Fintry area is currently the highest it’s been since recording statistics, 27 years ago,” BCWS said.

“The most active area of the fire is along Westside Road, north of Fintry Park where current drought conditions are already causing fuels to dry out again. Air support will continue to support ground crews with suppression activities throughout the day today.”

The fire is an estimated 81,139 hectares in size, with hundreds of firefighters from across B.C., Canada and even from Mexico, battling the blaze.

READ MORE: PHOTOS: No erratic behaviour forecast for White Rock Lake wildfire

READ MORE: Restriction order means no visitors to White Rock Lake wildfire area


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Jennifer Smith

About the Author: Jennifer Smith

Vernon has always been my home, and I've been working at The Morning Star since 2004.
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