B.C. Wildfires 2023

The Lacey family trailer sitting on the property of what was to be their brand new home in West Kelowna before a wildfire swallowed the build and destroyed many neighbouring properties. (Facebook/Patrick Lacey)

Wildfire takes home, thieves take hope for West Kelowna family

The Lacey family was two month away from completing their new home

  • Oct 3, 2023
The Lacey family trailer sitting on the property of what was to be their brand new home in West Kelowna before a wildfire swallowed the build and destroyed many neighbouring properties. (Facebook/Patrick Lacey)
Devastating from a burn home caused by the Walroy Lake wildfire in Kelowna. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

2 small-town Manitoba women on front lines of wildfire recovery in B.C.

Volunteers contracted by B.C. government to run evacuation centres in Kelowna, Kamloops

  • Oct 2, 2023
Devastating from a burn home caused by the Walroy Lake wildfire in Kelowna. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
More than three million hectares of land have been destroyed by fire in 2023. This is more than twice as much as the amount of land burned in 2018, in the province’s second-worst wildfire season. (BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. wildfires in 2023 scorch 3 million hectares

Land burned is more than twice as great as in 2018 wildfire season

More than three million hectares of land have been destroyed by fire in 2023. This is more than twice as much as the amount of land burned in 2018, in the province’s second-worst wildfire season. (BC Wildfire Service)
Chase RCMP located what appeared to be a non-emergency vehicle driving in an evacuated area of Sorrento on Aug. 21, 2023. (File photo)

Shuswap man claiming to be firefighter handed 90-day driving prohibition

Officers located driver in evacuated area of Sorrento

Chase RCMP located what appeared to be a non-emergency vehicle driving in an evacuated area of Sorrento on Aug. 21, 2023. (File photo)
Hot spots from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burn in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfire danger drops, bans lift as B.C. gets cooler, wetter

6 wildfires of note still burning across province, majority in the Prince George fire district

Hot spots from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burn in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Angela Cornish received 6-month conditional sentence for arson Tuesday in provincial court in Kamloops. (Kamloops This Week file photo)

6-month conditional sentence for B.C. woman who started 2 wildfires

Angela Cornish pleaded guilty to two arsons near the southern Interior community of Lac Le Jeune

Angela Cornish received 6-month conditional sentence for arson Tuesday in provincial court in Kamloops. (Kamloops This Week file photo)
Despite being held and more favourable conditions on the way, smoke from the McDougall Creek wildfire might still be visible during the fall season. (BC Wildfire Service)

End in sight for McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna

The fire started on Tuesday, Aug. 15

Despite being held and more favourable conditions on the way, smoke from the McDougall Creek wildfire might still be visible during the fall season. (BC Wildfire Service)
Burned trees are seen above a neighbourhood in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Evacuation orders and alerts have been lifted for all but one property in West Kelowna, about five weeks after thousands were chased out by a fast-moving wildfire. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel

Wildfire orders and alerts disappearing in B.C.’s southern Interior

Notifications eased around high-profile McDougall Creek, Glen Lake, Bush Creek East wildfires

Burned trees are seen above a neighbourhood in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Evacuation orders and alerts have been lifted for all but one property in West Kelowna, about five weeks after thousands were chased out by a fast-moving wildfire. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel
The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police “E” Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. The four British Columbia firefighters who died in a highway crash this week all worked for a Kamloops-based contractor, whose owner says they were like family. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

4 ‘irreplaceable’ lives lost, B.C. families, firefighting contractor mourn

Firefighters killed in highway crash near Cache Creek worked for Kamloops-based Tomahawk Ventures

The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police “E” Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. The four British Columbia firefighters who died in a highway crash this week all worked for a Kamloops-based contractor, whose owner says they were like family. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
This photo was taken at 1:45 a.m. on Aug. 30 from the chicken farm on Fredrickson Road in Sorrento. Shuswap Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Ty Barrett said the Bush Creek East wildfire was coming down the mountain and through a dry grassy field, driven by aggressive winds. Firefighters stood their ground at a one-kilometre fire line and were able to keep the blaze from reaching any structures. (Ty Barrett photo)

VIEWPOINT: Shuswap deputy fire chief grateful for support during wildfire fight

‘We couldn’t have done it without them’

  • Sep 21, 2023
This photo was taken at 1:45 a.m. on Aug. 30 from the chicken farm on Fredrickson Road in Sorrento. Shuswap Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Ty Barrett said the Bush Creek East wildfire was coming down the mountain and through a dry grassy field, driven by aggressive winds. Firefighters stood their ground at a one-kilometre fire line and were able to keep the blaze from reaching any structures. (Ty Barrett photo)
After 37 days, the McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna is now being held. (BC Wildfire Service)

Nearly all residents have returned home following West Kelowna wildfire

The blaze is now unlikely to spread beyond predetermined boundaries

After 37 days, the McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna is now being held. (BC Wildfire Service)
West Kelowna fire Chief Jason Brolund speaks at the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge event at the United Nations, Wednesday, September 20, 2023 in New York. The federal government is hoping Canada’s devastating wildfire season sparks momentum for carbon pricing at the United Nations.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

West Kelowna fire chief’s harrowing tale opens eyes at United Nations

Canada’s wildfires take global centre stage at event aimed at putting a price on pollution

West Kelowna fire Chief Jason Brolund speaks at the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge event at the United Nations, Wednesday, September 20, 2023 in New York. The federal government is hoping Canada’s devastating wildfire season sparks momentum for carbon pricing at the United Nations.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The crash happened on Sep. 19 at approximately 2:00 a.m., one kilometre west of Juniper Beach Provincial Park near Walhachin (Credit: BC Wildfire Service)

4 wildfire fighters killed in Highway 1 crash near Ashcroft

Four people were killed in the head-on collision

The crash happened on Sep. 19 at approximately 2:00 a.m., one kilometre west of Juniper Beach Provincial Park near Walhachin (Credit: BC Wildfire Service)
Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport says interest in B.C. as a tourism destination far exceeds any reputational losses caused by this year’s wildfire season. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)

Wildfire economic damage to B.C. tourism still being counted: minister

Tourism Minister Lana Popham says interest in B.C. far exceeds reputational damage after wildfires

Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport says interest in B.C. as a tourism destination far exceeds any reputational losses caused by this year’s wildfire season. (Colleen Flanagan/The News)
The Central Okanagan endured weeks without tourism during its peak season because of wildfires and a regional travel ban. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Climate change cost B.C. tourism ‘$100s of millions, never to be recovered’

Provincial, regional tourism leaders are calling for quick, immediate relief after wildfire season

The Central Okanagan endured weeks without tourism during its peak season because of wildfires and a regional travel ban. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Burned vehicles are seen at a property destroyed by the Bush Creek East wildfire, in Scotch Creek, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Columbia-Shuswap officials call for review of B.C.’s wildfire response

The CSRD supported the Mayor of Barriere’s call on the provincial government

Burned vehicles are seen at a property destroyed by the Bush Creek East wildfire, in Scotch Creek, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Glen Lake wildfire burning near Peachland on Sept. 17. (Submitted)

UPDATE: Properties in Summerland, RDOS on evacuation alert for fire west of Peachland

The blaze, which is now part of the Grouse Complex, is likely to burn vigorously throughout the day

Glen Lake wildfire burning near Peachland on Sept. 17. (Submitted)
The Glen Lake wildfire is 15km west of Peachland. (BC Wildfire Service)

Fresh evacuation orders issued in B.C. wildfire battle

Peachland, Horn Lake areas affected as the battle continues with more than 400 blazes burning

The Glen Lake wildfire is 15km west of Peachland. (BC Wildfire Service)
The Upper Park Rill Creek fire has flared up prompting new evacuation alerts in the Willowbrook area Sunday night.

New evacuation alerts issued as wildfire near Penticton flares up

Over 12 properties including camping areas put on alert Sunday night

The Upper Park Rill Creek fire has flared up prompting new evacuation alerts in the Willowbrook area Sunday night.
The Spetch Creek wildfire is burning 13 kilometres northeast from the community of Pemberton. The fire was first discovered Aug. 29 and is an estimated 100 hectares. (BC Wildfire Service)

2 visible wildfires burning near Pemberton, BC Wildfire Service says

The BC Wildfire Service is reporting more than 400 active blazes burning across the province

The Spetch Creek wildfire is burning 13 kilometres northeast from the community of Pemberton. The fire was first discovered Aug. 29 and is an estimated 100 hectares. (BC Wildfire Service)