B.C. Wildfires 2023

Extensive wildfire damage is visible from Okanagan Lake after the McDougall Creek wildfire swept through the Central Okanagan. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

What remains on the west side of Okanagan Lake as wildfire evacuees return home

Dockside Marine assisted in taking Black Press on a boat tour of the wildfire area

  • Sep 15, 2023
Extensive wildfire damage is visible from Okanagan Lake after the McDougall Creek wildfire swept through the Central Okanagan. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
The Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap. (BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. ends state of emergency, but wildfire threat persists

Emergency Management Minister says 370 people remain on evacuation order, 18,000 on alert

The Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap. (BC Wildfire Service)
A spot fire on Squilax-Anglemont Road at Butters Road broke out again in the early hours of Thursday, Sept. 14, threatening a number of structures including a new home under construction in the foreground. (Contributed)

Spot fire startles B.C. wildfire victims in rental home

Family already lost their home to wildfire in August, then woken to spot fire Thursday

A spot fire on Squilax-Anglemont Road at Butters Road broke out again in the early hours of Thursday, Sept. 14, threatening a number of structures including a new home under construction in the foreground. (Contributed)
A firefighter works on the Peacock Creek wildfire, south of Smithers, B.C. The fire is 1,444 hectares in size and burning out of control as of Sept. 13. (Credit: BC Wildfire Service)

Wildfires may continue to burn into 2024 in northern B.C., say officials

Severe drought conditions expected to last into the fall

A firefighter works on the Peacock Creek wildfire, south of Smithers, B.C. The fire is 1,444 hectares in size and burning out of control as of Sept. 13. (Credit: BC Wildfire Service)
As British Columbia awaits the latest update due later today on fire, drought and flood conditions, residents in an area south of Kamloops can relax as all evacuation orders and alerts related to a nearby fire have ended. Trees burned by the Bush Creek East Wildfire are seen above Little Shuswap Lake in Squilax, B.C., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

All alerts lifted for prominent B.C. wildfires in 2 regions

Weeks of worry ease as alerts lift for wildfires outside Kamloops, Lillooet

As British Columbia awaits the latest update due later today on fire, drought and flood conditions, residents in an area south of Kamloops can relax as all evacuation orders and alerts related to a nearby fire have ended. Trees burned by the Bush Creek East Wildfire are seen above Little Shuswap Lake in Squilax, B.C., Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The McDougall Creek wildfire ripped through the Bear Creek area of West Kelowna. There is very little left for residents to salvage. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

Resources, warnings accompany people home in aftermath of B.C. wildfires

Officials working to prepare and protect those returning after West Kelowna wildfire

The McDougall Creek wildfire ripped through the Bear Creek area of West Kelowna. There is very little left for residents to salvage. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
View of McDougall Creek wildfire on Aug. 17 from West Kelowna Estates. (Karen Hughes)

Wildfire evacuations ordered near Prince George, dropped near Kelowna

163 out of control wildfires burning in B.C., 6 new fires sparked in the past day

View of McDougall Creek wildfire on Aug. 17 from West Kelowna Estates. (Karen Hughes)
A helicopter being used to battle hot spots near Sorrento lands in Squilax, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, as trees burned by the Bush Creek East wildfire are seen on a mountainside. The onset of large, severe wildfires that threaten communities year after year has occurred earlier in British Columbia than previous research projected, and experts say the record-shattering 2023 season must serve as a springboard for action. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Science knew severe B.C. wildfires were coming, speed of arrival ‘shocking’

UBC researcher says the time for proactive action to minimize the impact is now

A helicopter being used to battle hot spots near Sorrento lands in Squilax, B.C., Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, as trees burned by the Bush Creek East wildfire are seen on a mountainside. The onset of large, severe wildfires that threaten communities year after year has occurred earlier in British Columbia than previous research projected, and experts say the record-shattering 2023 season must serve as a springboard for action. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Premier David Eby stopped in Salmon Arm to speak with local officials and hold a media availability about the Bush Creek East wildfire that tore through the North Shuswap. (Brittany Webster/Black Press)

‘It’s complicated’: Premier committed to rebuilding fire-ravaged North Shuswap

David Eby flew over the Bush Creek East wildfire zone and visited with impacted residents

  • Sep 12, 2023
Premier David Eby stopped in Salmon Arm to speak with local officials and hold a media availability about the Bush Creek East wildfire that tore through the North Shuswap. (Brittany Webster/Black Press)
B.C. Premier David Eby and Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma are visiting the province’s wildfire-hit southern interior Monday to meet with those affected by this season’s devastating wildfires. Eby, here seen in West Kelowna on Aug. 22, used the occasion of Monday’s visit to announce a task force to deal with climate-related emergencies. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

B.C. launches task force to deal with climate emergencies

Premier David Eby announced the task force Monday morning as part of visit to Southern Interior

B.C. Premier David Eby and Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma are visiting the province’s wildfire-hit southern interior Monday to meet with those affected by this season’s devastating wildfires. Eby, here seen in West Kelowna on Aug. 22, used the occasion of Monday’s visit to announce a task force to deal with climate-related emergencies. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
B.C. Premier David Eby and Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma are set to visit the province’s wildfire-hit southern interior today to meet with those affected by this season’s devastating wildfires. Eby holds a press conference at a reception centre for those evacuated due to the McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna, B.C., Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Premier headed to B.C. Interior to meet wildfire victims, responders

David Eby will be accompanied by Bowinn Ma as 100s of properties remain evacuated

B.C. Premier David Eby and Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma are set to visit the province’s wildfire-hit southern interior today to meet with those affected by this season’s devastating wildfires. Eby holds a press conference at a reception centre for those evacuated due to the McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna, B.C., Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Wayne Dorman, the owner of Dogzies Pet Services, organized a large donation for firefighters working in West Kelowna from around the world. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

A large truck of small comforts for international firefighters in West Kelowna

Donations from the South African owner of Dogzies brightened the spirits of fire crews far from home

Wayne Dorman, the owner of Dogzies Pet Services, organized a large donation for firefighters working in West Kelowna from around the world. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above lakefront homes in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. West Kelowna area residents are being warned to stay out of wildfire restricted areas or face possible fines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Don’t dodge wildfire checkpoints, Okanagan residents warned

Anoyone entering wildfire restriction area without authorization could face $1,150 violation ticket

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above lakefront homes in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. West Kelowna area residents are being warned to stay out of wildfire restricted areas or face possible fines. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The latest federal government forecast says Canada’s already unprecedented 2023 wildfire season could continue late into the fall or winter. 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

Feds say wildfire season could last throughout Canadian fall

Ottawa looking at new disaster response options in wake of wildfires and other threats

The latest federal government forecast says Canada’s already unprecedented 2023 wildfire season could continue late into the fall or winter. 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
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

Charred ruins greet tour as B.C.’s Shuswap seeks wildfire closure

Community gets a look at the damage even as Buch Creek East firefighting continues

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
The Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap has burned an estimated 43,084 hectares as of Aug. 31, 2023. Because of severe drought conditions, if regions get too much rain too quickly this fall it could lead to flooding, but if there’s not enough rain the drought season could continue into 2024. (BC Wildfire Service)

Drought conditions in B.C. a ‘sleeping giant of a natural disaster’

But too much rain too quickly could lead to similar issues following the 2021 atmospheric rivers

The Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap has burned an estimated 43,084 hectares as of Aug. 31, 2023. Because of severe drought conditions, if regions get too much rain too quickly this fall it could lead to flooding, but if there’s not enough rain the drought season could continue into 2024. (BC Wildfire Service)
The miniature Delft Blue House that former MP Stephen Fuhr was able to find in the debris of his home. (Stephen Fuhr)

Ash-caked porcelain house all that B.C. wildfire left of former MP’s home

Stephen Fuhr plans to rebuild on the property he has lived at for 15 years

  • Sep 6, 2023
The miniature Delft Blue House that former MP Stephen Fuhr was able to find in the debris of his home. (Stephen Fuhr)
Kookipi Creek wildfire, near Boston Bar, Boothroyd and Nahatlach Lake. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma and Forests Minister Bruce Ralston provided the latest update on the wildfire and drought siuation in the province Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (BC Wildfire Service/Facebook)

Disaster relief available for communities impacted by 2023 B.C. wildfires

It comes as more than 2.2 million hectares have burned in the province since April 1

Kookipi Creek wildfire, near Boston Bar, Boothroyd and Nahatlach Lake. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma and Forests Minister Bruce Ralston provided the latest update on the wildfire and drought siuation in the province Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (BC Wildfire Service/Facebook)
Smoke rises from the Bush Creek East wildfire in an undated handout photo. Residents of one of the regions most devastated by wildfires in British Columbia will be touring the burned-out site today.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-B.C. Wildfire Service

Shuswap residents get first look at area wildfire ‘changed dramatically’

Tours set for Bush Creek East, where wildfire destroyed or damaged as many as 200 homes.

Smoke rises from the Bush Creek East wildfire in an undated handout photo. Residents of one of the regions most devastated by wildfires in British Columbia will be touring the burned-out site today.THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-B.C. Wildfire Service
Students across much of Canada are packing lunches and slinging on backpacks today as they bid farewell to summer vacation and gear up for another school year. A elementary student arrives for his first day back to school in Montreal, Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi

Wildfires, climate issues accompany Canadians back to school

Wildfires affecting classes to the north and west, heat wave smacks the centre of the country

Students across much of Canada are packing lunches and slinging on backpacks today as they bid farewell to summer vacation and gear up for another school year. A elementary student arrives for his first day back to school in Montreal, Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi