Event CategoryDisaster
Event GroupNatural
Event SubgroupMeteorological - Hydrological
Event TypeWildfire
PlaceKelowna, Kamloops and Cariboo BC
Event Start DateMay 1, 2009
Event End DateAugust 31, 2009
CommentsKelowna, Kamloops and Cariboo BC, May 1 to August 31, 2009. Fire season 2009 had 3,200 fires, 213 of which were wildland-urban interface fires. On July 18, fires broke out in the Glenrosa and Rose Valley communities of West Kelowna, combined with the Terrace Mountain fire west of Fintry, which led to multiple evacuation orders and alerts. July also saw an abundance of lightning storms leading to other fires of note throughout the province. Temperatures continued to break record highs and little precipitation was received in most areas. As September began, all personnel continued to work hard to contain fires across the Kamloops and Cariboo regions. The Lava Canyon fire, the largest, was nearly 55,000 hectares and growing. There were over 100 notable fires during this fire season: at least 27 caused evacuation orders and at least a dozen more caused evacuation alerts. Approximately 20,000 people were evacuated. One helicopter pilot lost his life in the line of duty.
Fatalities1
Injured / Infected0
Evacuated20000
Estimated Total Cost$98,743,529
Federal DFAA Payments$81,743,529
Provincial DFAA Payments$17,000,000
Provincial Department PaymentsUnknown
Municipal CostsUnknown
OGD CostsUnknown
Insurance PaymentsUnknown
NGO PaymentsUnknown
Utility - People Affected0
Magnitude0.0