The latest estimates from fire chiefs in the Central Okanagan region of British Columbia indicate that nearly 200 buildings have been destroyed in the fierce wildfires that swept through West Kelowna and the surrounding area last week.

Residents learned that fewer than 90 buildings in West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation have been completely or partially destroyed due to the intense wildfires that struck the area last week, and more than 3,000 people have been impacted by the flames.

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund provided the latest figures at a press conference this morning, Tuesday, stating that crews believe fewer than 70 properties were affected within the city and fewer than 20 properties within the First Nation; however, a complete damage assessment is still ongoing.

At the same press conference, North Westside Fire Chief Ross Kochrovski estimated that fewer than 100 buildings have been lost due to wildfires in his area, located northwest of Kelowna, but he emphasized that he did not want to provide more precise numbers while assessments are still underway.

Officials confirmed today, Tuesday, that on the eastern side of Okanagan Lake, wildfires have destroyed three homes and two outbuildings in Kelowna, and three other homes in Lake Country north of the city.

Brolund warned local residents to prepare for a view of the devastation as smoke from the wildfires is expected to rise. He said, "The mountains surrounding our community will look different; we haven't seen them since the fire. The difference will be huge."

Brolund added that firefighters have made good progress over the past 24 hours in protecting homes from the devastating wildfires in McDougal Creek and working to contain them, stating, "We are making progress. Things are improving. We will get this to the finish line."

He described Monday night as "calm but extremely busy" for firefighters who had to deal with about twenty fires and saved a home from burning after a nearby woodpile caught fire.

The fires in the area have been grouped together as the Gross Wildfires.

Brad Litke, an incident commander with the British Columbia Wildfire Service, said during a press conference held today that lighter winds are expected throughout the day, but thunderstorms may occur, which could complicate firefighting efforts. Litke added, "We are very aware of how important it is to get people back into their homes and reopen their businesses when it is safe."

He stated that smoke from the wildfires continues to make it difficult to determine the exact size of the McDougal Creek fire, but the current estimate is 120 square kilometers.

The latest update from the Kelowna area comes as British Columbia Premier David Eby is scheduled to visit the Shuswap and Okanagan regions in British Columbia to meet with residents affected by the fires.

There is currently no official tally of the number of homes destroyed across the province since wildfire activity significantly accelerated last week, but officials acknowledged that the damage is "substantial."

British Columbia's Minister of Emergency Management, Bowinn Ma, said on Monday that about 27,000 people in the province are under evacuation orders due to ongoing wildfires, with another 35,000 people on evacuation alert within a short timeframe.

A few evacuation orders have been downgraded to alerts in West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, and Lake Country on Monday evening.