Two years after a wildfire devastated Westside Road, the area has faced another disaster in the form of a landslide. The landslide occurred in the same area affected by the McDougall Creek wildfire in 2023. Engineering geologist Timothy Smith explains that when a wildfire burns through a slope, it can create water-repellent soils, making it difficult for the ground to absorb rainwater. This increases the risk of landslides significantly. Smith compares the post-wildfire landscape to a parking lot, where rain flows quickly and picks up ash and burned sediment, becoming thick and viscous.
West Kelowna and Peachland Conservative MLA Macklin McCall had previously raised concerns about the landslide risk along Westside Road to the province. He believes that proactive measures such as land rehabilitation, erosion control, and replanting could have curbed the risk of landslides after the wildfire. McCall emphasizes the need to treat landslide mitigation with the same urgency as wildfire prevention, as the threat of landslides has increased due to the fire. The Ministry of Transportation and Transit has stated that debris removal is currently underway in the area affected by the landslide, and once completed, they will be able to assess the duration of the road closure. As of now, Westside Road remains closed between Main Street and Denison Road.
The aftermath of the wildfire has left the area vulnerable to landslides, with the loss of vegetated ground cover making it easier for runoff to flow quickly and reach streams faster than usual. The burned landscape also contributes to the viscosity of the runoff, making it thicker and more challenging to manage. The risks associated with post-wildfire landslides highlight the need for effective mitigation strategies to prevent further disasters in the area. The impact of the landslide on infrastructure and transportation routes underscores the importance of addressing these risks promptly to ensure the safety of residents and travelers in the region.
Smith’s explanation of how wildfires can create water-repellent soils and increase the risk of landslides provides valuable insight into the geological processes at play in post-fire environments. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective mitigation and prevention strategies to reduce the impact of disasters such as landslides. McCall’s advocacy for proactive measures to address landslide risks highlights the need for government agencies and policymakers to prioritize these issues and allocate resources accordingly. By taking a comprehensive approach to addressing the impacts of wildfires and associated hazards, communities can enhance their resilience and reduce the potential for future disasters.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit’s response to the landslide on Westside Road signals a commitment to addressing the immediate challenges posed by the disaster. By conducting debris removal and assessing the condition of the road, authorities can determine the necessary steps to restore access and ensure the safety of the affected area. The coordination of efforts between government agencies, local authorities, and other stakeholders is essential for effectively managing the aftermath of natural disasters and implementing measures to enhance resilience in the face of future events. The lessons learned from the landslide on Westside Road can inform future strategies for wildfire prevention, post-fire recovery, and disaster risk reduction in fire-prone areas.
