Wildfire, flooding and insurance

The 2023 Clarke Creek wildfire

On August 17, 2023, embers from the McDougall Creek fire across the lake started the Clarke Creek wildfire near the south end of Lake Country and the McKinley area. It grew to about 373 hectares, prompted a local state of emergency and hundreds of evacuations, and destroyed three homes in Lake Country. It was held by August 24 (Kelowna Capital News). Highway 97 congestion during the evacuations showed how much of the area depends on one main road.

Homes at the forest edge

Hillside subdivisions, Lakestone, Carr’s Landing and the upper benches are at the wildland-urban interface. That doesn’t make them unbuyable, but it affects insurance and maintenance:

• Get an insurance quote before you remove subjects, including the deductible for wildfire.
• Look at the roof, vents, decks and what’s growing within 10 metres of the house. FireSmart BC’s home assessment guide is a good checklist.
• Ask the seller what FireSmart work has been done and whether the strata or neighbourhood has a plan.
• Know your evacuation routes, especially on dead-end hillside roads.

Flooding

In 2017, flood alerts covered 580 properties in the region and an urgent water notice was issued (KelownaNow). Middle Vernon Creek, which runs from Duck Lake into Wood Lake, flooded in 2017 and 2018; the District completed a 200-year flood hazard study in February 2023 (District of Lake Country).

• Check the flood mapping for any home near a creek or low-lying lakeshore.
• Ask your insurer about overland flood coverage, which isn’t standard.
• Ask the seller about past water in the basement and sump pumps.

“The insurance quote is a due-diligence item, like the inspection. Get it before you’re committed, not after.”

Sean Phillips, REALTOR®