B.C. Wildfires 2023

What is left of the garden and chicken coop at a property on Bear Creek Road, West Kelowna after the McDougall Creek Wildfire swept through the area. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

‘Absolutely untrue’: West Kelowna Fire Chief on claims that homes were left to burn

The McDougall Creek wildfire’s behaviour was too aggressive for air support in the early days

  • Sep 5, 2023
What is left of the garden and chicken coop at a property on Bear Creek Road, West Kelowna after the McDougall Creek Wildfire swept through the area. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
Smoke from wildfires can be seen in a mountain range from the passenger window aboard a charter flight between Penticton and Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Residents of British Columbia’s Shuswap region must wait another day for evacuation orders to lift in wildfire-ravaged areas of the community, complicating the return to school for north Shuswap students. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Evacuation orders lifting as B.C. wildfire battle tide turns

Afflciting Shuswap and Okanagan regions starting to welcome people home

Smoke from wildfires can be seen in a mountain range from the passenger window aboard a charter flight between Penticton and Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. Residents of British Columbia’s Shuswap region must wait another day for evacuation orders to lift in wildfire-ravaged areas of the community, complicating the return to school for north Shuswap students. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The BC Wildfire Services says long weekend weather conditions caused “very aggressive fire activity” on several active blazes in the province’s central fire zone. A hot spot from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burns in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfires fuelled by weekend wind and heat in central B.C.

Evacuation orders and alerts issued in Bulkley-Nechako and Fraser-Fort George.

The BC Wildfire Services says long weekend weather conditions caused “very aggressive fire activity” on several active blazes in the province’s central fire zone. A hot spot from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burns in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Firefighters hose down a spot within the Bush Creek East wildfire perimeter. (BCWS photo)

Possible rain, cooler temperatures forecasted for Shuswap wildfire

Evacuation orders and alerts remain for the Bush Creek East wildfire

  • Sep 4, 2023
Firefighters hose down a spot within the Bush Creek East wildfire perimeter. (BCWS photo)
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)

250 personnel ready if West Kelowna blaze encroaches on Glenrosa

The cause of the fire is still under investigation

  • Sep 4, 2023
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)
The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home, in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C.’s fire damage tops 2 million hectares

2023 wildfire season is worst in province’s recorded history

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home, in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
There are 66 firefighters responding to the Upper Park Rill wildfire, including two danger tree fallers. While B.C. isn’t yet in the clear for this wildfire season, the BC Wildfire Service’s operations director says the agency is already starting to plan out what the fall and next season could look like. (BC Wildfire Service)

BC Wildfire Service already planning for the fall, next season

Crews will be ready to respond for off-season hazards, if needed

There are 66 firefighters responding to the Upper Park Rill wildfire, including two danger tree fallers. While B.C. isn’t yet in the clear for this wildfire season, the BC Wildfire Service’s operations director says the agency is already starting to plan out what the fall and next season could look like. (BC Wildfire Service)
The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire is now considered “held,” as of Friday, Sept. 1. (BC Wildfire Service)

Twin Lakes wildfire considered ‘held,’ crews continue to fight blaze south of Keremeos

Crater Creek wildfire remains ‘out of control’; 13 properties still on evacuation order

The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire is now considered “held,” as of Friday, Sept. 1. (BC Wildfire Service)
Two of the three fires making up a devastating wildfire complex that destroyed almost 200 homes around Lake Okanagan in the B.C. Interior are now under control. Smoke from the McDougall Creek fire is seen over Okanagan Lake from Kelowna, B.C., on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe O’Connal

‘Apocalypse’ in retreat? 2 of 3 major Okanagan blazes under control

‘Black’ begins to lift in B.C.’s south as wind adds fresh concern in province’s northern half

Two of the three fires making up a devastating wildfire complex that destroyed almost 200 homes around Lake Okanagan in the B.C. Interior are now under control. Smoke from the McDougall Creek fire is seen over Okanagan Lake from Kelowna, B.C., on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Joe O’Connal
An orphaned black bear cub is recovering after being injured in wildfires in the Shuswap area. BC Conservation Officer Service said the bear was first spotted in the Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw First Nation community near Chase. (BCCOS)

Orphaned black bear rescued in Shuswap area now recovering in Smithers

BC Conservation Officer Service says bear’s sibling was put down due to severe injuries

An orphaned black bear cub is recovering after being injured in wildfires in the Shuswap area. BC Conservation Officer Service said the bear was first spotted in the Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw First Nation community near Chase. (BCCOS)
About 160 firefighters battling a blaze in the British Columbia Interior have had to pull out of their camp after they were subjected to what the BC Wildfire Service calls "persistent bear activity." The Downton Lake wildfire near Gold Bridge, B.C., burns in this recent handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, BC Wildfire Service *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Scavenging bears force 160 B.C. firefighters to pack up camp

Neither firefighters, not bears hurt, but their persistent presence deemed unsafe near Lillo0et

About 160 firefighters battling a blaze in the British Columbia Interior have had to pull out of their camp after they were subjected to what the BC Wildfire Service calls "persistent bear activity." The Downton Lake wildfire near Gold Bridge, B.C., burns in this recent handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, BC Wildfire Service *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Fire encroaching on homes in Lake Country on Aug. 18. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

Kelowna, Lake Country wildfires now considered under control

The McDougall Creek wildfire remains out of control in West Kelowna

Fire encroaching on homes in Lake Country on Aug. 18. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
A North Shuswap resident attempts to control a spot fire left in the wake of the Bush Creek East wildfire that spread through the area Friday night, Aug. 18, 2023. (Angela Lagore photo)

BC Wildfire officials to look at off-season prevention alongside communities

Operations director says BCWS willing to learn, adapt in a year of challenges

A North Shuswap resident attempts to control a spot fire left in the wake of the Bush Creek East wildfire that spread through the area Friday night, Aug. 18, 2023. (Angela Lagore photo)
Donations raised through the New Car Dealers Association will help provide shelter, basic needs, recovery assistance and emotional support for B.C. residents impacted by the recent wildfires. Phil McLachlan / Western News photo

New Car Dealers support for B.C. wildfire relief surpasses $236,000

More than $236,000 has now been raised through the New Car Dealers…

  • Aug 31, 2023
Donations raised through the New Car Dealers Association will help provide shelter, basic needs, recovery assistance and emotional support for B.C. residents impacted by the recent wildfires. Phil McLachlan / Western News photo
Heavy equipment has been removed from around Cameron Bluffs and Highway 4 has reopened to two-way traffic. (BC TRANSPORTATION PHOTO)

Highway 4 near Port Alberni reopens to two-way traffic in time for Labour Day

Josie Osborne says more info is coming on impact of stormy weather on Cameron Bluffs

Heavy equipment has been removed from around Cameron Bluffs and Highway 4 has reopened to two-way traffic. (BC TRANSPORTATION 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

B.C. extends state of emergency by 2 weeks to due wildfires, drought

27 of 34 water basins are at the highest drought levels

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
(Black Press file photo)

Canada Post offering free mail forwarding for wildfire impacted British Columbians

Eligible residents have until Sept. 29 to register

  • Aug 31, 2023
(Black Press file photo)
Thick smoke from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire fills the air and a Canadian flag flies in the wind as RCMP officers on a boat patrol Shuswap Lake, in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfire response in Shuswap fanning B.C.’s political flames

NDP, BC United trade barbs over residents who defied evacuation order to fight fire themselves

Thick smoke from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire fills the air and a Canadian flag flies in the wind as RCMP officers on a boat patrol Shuswap Lake, in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Widespread rain in the forecast today throughout much of British Columbia’s southern Interior is expected to aid firefighters push back against a number of major wildfires in the region. A man sits under an umbrella on a dock while fishing for perch and whitefish on the Fraser River as rain falls, in Richmond, B.C., on Monday, July 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Rainfall feeds B.C. wildfire fight in multiple regions

BC Wildfire Service website shows 422 active fires across the province

Widespread rain in the forecast today throughout much of British Columbia’s southern Interior is expected to aid firefighters push back against a number of major wildfires in the region. A man sits under an umbrella on a dock while fishing for perch and whitefish on the Fraser River as rain falls, in Richmond, B.C., on Monday, July 24, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
West Kelowna residents who lost their home and suffered property damage that’s unlivable will receive a phone call from Central Okanagan Emergency Operations for a bus service to be able to go view their property. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

‘Stressful situation’: West Kelowna property owners to tour wildfire damage

All evacuation orders and alerts remain in place

West Kelowna residents who lost their home and suffered property damage that’s unlivable will receive a phone call from Central Okanagan Emergency Operations for a bus service to be able to go view their property. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)