B.C. Wildfires 2023

The Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country continues to burn into Tuesday, Aug. 22, remaining at 360 hectares. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

No change seen in Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country

The fire remains held at 360 hectares

The Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country continues to burn into Tuesday, Aug. 22, remaining at 360 hectares. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
Devastating from a burn home caused by the Walroy Lake wildfire in Kelowna, Aug. 24, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

Minimal weekend growth for Walroy Lake wildfire in north Kelowna

The temperature is expected to reach 32C on Aug. 28, which may cause fire activity to increase

Devastating from a burn home caused by the Walroy Lake wildfire in Kelowna, Aug. 24, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
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

Residents of B.C.’s wildfire-stricken Shuswap will soon learn fate of homes

Estimated number of properties destroyed by the Bush Creek East wildfire is 131

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
Planned ignition work on the McDougall Creek wildfire, near West Kelowna. (BC Wildfire Service)

UPDATE: Rest of West Kelowna’s Smith Creek allowed to head home

Protecting properties continues to be a priority for fire crews on Aug. 28

Planned ignition work on the McDougall Creek wildfire, near West Kelowna. (BC Wildfire Service)
The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire remains at 1,830 hectares. (BC Wildfire Services)

No change to Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire burning near Keremeos

The fire remains at 1,830 hectares

The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire remains at 1,830 hectares. (BC Wildfire Services)
The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire remains at 1,830 hectares. (BC Wildfire Services)

No change to Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire burning near Keromeos

The fire remains at 1,830 hectares

The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire remains at 1,830 hectares. (BC Wildfire Services)
Planned ignition work on the McDougall Creek wildfire, near West Kelowna. (BC Wildfire Service)

UPDATE: West Kelowna wildfire remains out of control at 12,635 hectares

Protecting properties continues to be a priority for fire crews on Aug. 28

Planned ignition work on the McDougall Creek wildfire, near West Kelowna. (BC Wildfire Service)
Rossmoore Lake wildfire near Kamloops. (BC Wildfire Service)

Fire south of Kamloops reaches 11,000 hectares

Warmer temperatures could ramp up fire behaviour over the next few days

  • Aug 27, 2023
Rossmoore Lake wildfire near Kamloops. (BC Wildfire Service)
Planned ignition work continues on the McDougall Creek wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)

West Kelowna looks to re-entry and recovery after McDougall Creek fire

Upper Shannon Woods, Tallus Ridge evacuation order downgraded to alert Sunday morning

  • Aug 27, 2023
Planned ignition work continues on the McDougall Creek wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)
Bush Creek East wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)

UPDATE: Highway 1 reopens, flames visible from Shuswap wildfire

Evacuation orders and alerts remain in place

  • Aug 27, 2023
Bush Creek East wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)
Capt. Jennifer Hansen of the Westside Salvation Army poses for a photo in West Kelowna, B.C. on Friday, August 25, 2023. Hansen says she’s been part of a team that has been providing more than 1,000 meals a day at the height of the wildfire. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner

Salvation Army leader supports Kelowna-area fire fight with free meals

Officials have estimated more than 170 structures were lost in the blaze

Capt. Jennifer Hansen of the Westside Salvation Army poses for a photo in West Kelowna, B.C. on Friday, August 25, 2023. Hansen says she’s been part of a team that has been providing more than 1,000 meals a day at the height of the wildfire. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner
The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. Canadian insurers are grappling with higher risk of wildfires amid a record-breaking season, and experts say rising premiums are just one part of how the industry is seeking to adapt to an ever-changing new normal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

More West Kelowna residents heading home as evacuation order downgraded to alert

The change is for the Tallus Ridge, Shannon Woods Drive and Rainbow Road areas

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. Canadian insurers are grappling with higher risk of wildfires amid a record-breaking season, and experts say rising premiums are just one part of how the industry is seeking to adapt to an ever-changing new normal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Mental health supports available for British Columbians impacted by wildfires

Disaster Psychological Support team deployed through B.C.’s Emergency Management program

Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
BC Wildfire Services continue to battle the McDougall Creek wildfire that’s been burning since Tuesday, Aug. 15. (BC Wildfire Services)

Evacuation order lifted for some Westbank First Nation properties

Properties on Lindley Drive and Lindley Road have been downgraded to an alert

BC Wildfire Services continue to battle the McDougall Creek wildfire that’s been burning since Tuesday, Aug. 15. (BC Wildfire Services)
The Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country started Aug. 18, 2023 (Contributed)

UPDATE: No change in size of McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna

‘People must remember, the fire is being held, the fire is not out,’ Lake Country’s mayor cautioned

The Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country started Aug. 18, 2023 (Contributed)
RCMP Cst. Borg captured fighting a spot fire on West Kelowna’s Parkinson Road. (Photo- Kelowna RCMP)

Mountie captured battling fire with garden hose near West Kelowna home

Officer notices blaze and jumps in to protect home, RCMP photo shows

RCMP Cst. Borg captured fighting a spot fire on West Kelowna’s Parkinson Road. (Photo- Kelowna RCMP)
BC Wildfire Service said the Little Blue River wildfire is located west of Highway 37, approximately 40 kilometres north of Good Hope Lake and 40 kilometres south of the Yukon border. It is 36,501.8 hectares as of Aug. 25, and it was first discovered on July 26. (BC Wildfire Service)

UPDATE: Province issues evacuation order for wildfire near B.C.-Yukon border

DriveBC says Highway 37 single-lane, alternating traffic, but could close at short notice

BC Wildfire Service said the Little Blue River wildfire is located west of Highway 37, approximately 40 kilometres north of Good Hope Lake and 40 kilometres south of the Yukon border. It is 36,501.8 hectares as of Aug. 25, and it was first discovered on July 26. (BC Wildfire Service)
Evacuation orders have been downgraded in the Shuswap Friday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2023. (CSRD photo)

Evacuation order lifted for more Shuswap areas

Residents can now make their way home, but are still under an evacuation alert

Evacuation orders have been downgraded in the Shuswap Friday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2023. (CSRD photo)
The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the McDougall Creek wildfire in the Central Okanagan Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (BC Wildfire photo)

BC Wildfire conducting aerial ignition on McDougall Creek wildfire

Crews are working to strengthen control lines in the northern portion of the McDougall Creek wildfire

The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the McDougall Creek wildfire in the Central Okanagan Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (BC Wildfire photo)
Dr. Melissa Lem, a Vancouver physician and president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, speaks outside Premier David Eby’s Vancouver constituency office Thursday (Aug. 24). The association was calling on the province to put a moratorium on future LNG projects, citing the risks associated with climate change. (Lauren Collins)

Doctors, nurses want B.C. to limit wildfire, climate impacts of LNG industry

Group gathered outside Premier David Eby’s office call for moratorium on future LNG projects

Dr. Melissa Lem, a Vancouver physician and president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, speaks outside Premier David Eby’s Vancouver constituency office Thursday (Aug. 24). The association was calling on the province to put a moratorium on future LNG projects, citing the risks associated with climate change. (Lauren Collins)