Photos: Terrifying wildfire scenes in West Kelowna, Yellowknife amid ‘unpredictable,’ ‘unprecedented’ blazes

More wildfires continue to emerge in what’s been a historic year in Canada. This time, it’s blazes in Yellowknife and surrounding Northwest Territories communities, and in West Kelowna, B.C., that are grabbing international attention.

It’s prompted state of emergencies, smoke alerts, and air quality warnings, as officials look to combat the fires while prompting residents to evacuate the affected areas. Thousands of properties have been affected across both regions as hundreds of fires burn.

“This is an unprecedented time for the capital city of Yellowknife,” said Morgan Tsetta, a photographer based in Yellowknife in a TikTok video. “This my home, and I’m really scared.

“Pray for me and my family as we evacuate our traditional homelands. This has never happened before, and I have so much family to take care of.”

All residents in the N.W.T.’s capital of Yellowknife have been prompted to evacuate as of Friday. Complications continue, especially in relations to flights out of the jurisdiction.

In West Kelowna, as of Friday, the McDougall Creek wildfire is being described as “very active and unpredictable,” as frightening images show the impact seen by the Okanagan community.

Wildfire photos out of West Kelowna

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above lakefront homes in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a home in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the McDougall Creek wildfire located 10 kilometres northwest of West Kelowna as shown in this undated handout image. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, BC Wildfire Service *MANDATORY CREDIT*

A fast-burning wildfire threatening West Kelowna, B.C., is challenging firefighting crews as they brace for what the operations director with BC Wildfire Service has predicted will be the most challenging days of the season so far. Smoke from the McDougall Creek wildfire is seen from Westbank, B.C., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe O’Connal

Smoke from the McDougall Creek fire is seen over Okanagan Lake from Kelowna, B.C., on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe O’Connal

Wildfire photos out of Yellowknife, N.W.T.

Heavy smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky in Yellowknife on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski

Heavy smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky in Yellowknife on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski

Heavy smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky in Yellowknife on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski

Heavy smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky along the shoreline on Yellowknife Bay in Yellowknife on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski

A view shows smoke rising due to wildfire in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, August 16, 2023. NASA EARTH OBSERVATORY/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT REFILE – CORRECTING LOCATION FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA TO NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

A view shows smoke rising due to wildfire in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada, August 16, 2023. NASA EARTH OBSERVATORY/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT REFILE – CORRECTING LOCATION FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA TO NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

A wildfire burns south of Enterprise, N.W.T., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

A small wildfire burns south of Enterprise, N.W.T., Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

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