B.C. Wildfires 2023

A person travels in a boat past people walking on the boardwalk as smoke from the McDougall Creek wildfire blankets the area on Okanagan Lake, in Kelowna Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Wildfire evacuation orders/alerts to be downgraded in Central Okanagan

‘The emergency is not over, but we are working on ensuring a strong recovery plan’

A person travels in a boat past people walking on the boardwalk as smoke from the McDougall Creek wildfire blankets the area on Okanagan Lake, in Kelowna Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
The out-of-control Stein Mountain wildfire is listed at 1,811 hectares as of Aug. 23, 2023 and was first discovered on July 12. Lytton First Nation issued several evacuation orders Aug. 22. (BC Wildfire Service)

Lytton First Nation evacuation order expanded for Stein Mountain wildfire

2nd order issued; evacuation route is north to Lillooet on the Westside/North Spencer Road

The out-of-control Stein Mountain wildfire is listed at 1,811 hectares as of Aug. 23, 2023 and was first discovered on July 12. Lytton First Nation issued several evacuation orders Aug. 22. (BC Wildfire Service)
A red sunset due to smoke may be on the horizon again on Vancouver Island as wildfire haze is expected to return. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Haze settles over Vancouver Island again as B.C. battles wildfires

There are 377 active fires in B.C. with 47 in the Coastal Fire Region

A red sunset due to smoke may be on the horizon again on Vancouver Island as wildfire haze is expected to return. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Nearly 900 seniors have been forced out of care facilities in a wildfire-ravaged region of British Columbia while the province has joined Alberta in receiving medical evacuees from the Northwest Territories, from where thousands of residents have escaped dangerous conditions. A resident is placed in an ambulance as paramedics assist in the evacuation of a seniors care facility due to wildfires, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfires displace patients in B.C. long-term care homes, N.W.T. hospitals

About 900 seniors moved in B.C., dozens also transported out of the Northwest Territories

Nearly 900 seniors have been forced out of care facilities in a wildfire-ravaged region of British Columbia while the province has joined Alberta in receiving medical evacuees from the Northwest Territories, from where thousands of residents have escaped dangerous conditions. A resident is placed in an ambulance as paramedics assist in the evacuation of a seniors care facility due to wildfires, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire remains at 1,830 hectares on Wednesday morning, Aug. 23. (BC Wildfire Services)

Wildfire northeast of Keremeos sees no overnight changes

All evacuation orders and alerts remain in effect

The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire remains at 1,830 hectares on Wednesday morning, Aug. 23. (BC Wildfire Services)
The Crater Creek wildfire southwest of Keremeos remains at 44,000 hectares. (BC Wildfire Services)

Crater Creek wildfire southwest of Keremeos sees no growth overnight

All evacuation orders and alerts remain the same on Wednesday morning

The Crater Creek wildfire southwest of Keremeos remains at 44,000 hectares. (BC Wildfire Services)
Estimates on structure loss in North Shuswap communities affected by the Bush Creek East wildfire could come as early as Wednesday evening (Aug. 23). (BC Wildfire Services)

UPDATE: North Shuswap structure loss estimates expected in coming days

Bush Creek East wildfire ranked number 1 on B.C. emergency resource allocation system

Estimates on structure loss in North Shuswap communities affected by the Bush Creek East wildfire could come as early as Wednesday evening (Aug. 23). (BC Wildfire Services)
A helicopter flies over Okanagan Lake Tuesday morning (Aug. 22) to assess the Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

UPDATE: Evacuation order area downgraded Lake Country wildfire

All evacuation orders and alerts remain the same

A helicopter flies over Okanagan Lake Tuesday morning (Aug. 22) to assess the Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
The Walroy Lake wildfire sits at 794 hectares going into Wednesday, Aug. 23 and continues to display low fire activity. (Mark Rogers/Facebook)

Low fire activity remains, could increase as crews extend wetlines at Kelowna wildfire

All evacuation orders and alerts remain the same heading into Wednesday, Aug. 23

The Walroy Lake wildfire sits at 794 hectares going into Wednesday, Aug. 23 and continues to display low fire activity. (Mark Rogers/Facebook)
All evacuation orders and alerts in place from the McDougall Creek wildfire remain the same entering Wednesday, Aug. 23. (BC Wildfire Services)

UPDATE: Some West Kelowna properties downgraded to wildfire evacuation alert

Entering day nine of the wildfire, it is now at 12,318 hectares

All evacuation orders and alerts in place from the McDougall Creek wildfire remain the same entering Wednesday, Aug. 23. (BC Wildfire Services)
Trails of wildfire smoke seen from Okanagan Centre south of Ceasars close to Shelter Cove Tuesday, April 22, 2023. (Jordy Cunningham - Black Press Media)

3 new Okanagan spot fires being held, under control

Fire near Fintry doused by locals, 2 near Mabel Lake

Trails of wildfire smoke seen from Okanagan Centre south of Ceasars close to Shelter Cove Tuesday, April 22, 2023. (Jordy Cunningham - Black Press Media)
Premier David Eby takes questions from the media during a news conference in West Kelowna on Aug. 22, following a helicopter tour of wildfire devastation in the Central Okanagan. (Gary Barnes/Capital News)

Premier Eby tours wildfire devastation in Central Okanagan

Non-essential accommodation in West Kelowna still banned

Premier David Eby takes questions from the media during a news conference in West Kelowna on Aug. 22, following a helicopter tour of wildfire devastation in the Central Okanagan. (Gary Barnes/Capital News)
RDKB Area C/Christina Lake Director Grace McGregor hopes to lead by example. She participated in the Christina Lake Fire Rescue sprinkler program and installed a WASP gutter-mounted sprinkler system on her own Christina Lake home. Homes that observe FireSmart principles and install sprinkler systems are more likely to withstand wildfire. Photo: Submitted

Don’t turn on roof sprinklers in wildfire fight: Vernon fire chief

If evacuating from a wildfire, do not turn on your sprinklers

RDKB Area C/Christina Lake Director Grace McGregor hopes to lead by example. She participated in the Christina Lake Fire Rescue sprinkler program and installed a WASP gutter-mounted sprinkler system on her own Christina Lake home. Homes that observe FireSmart principles and install sprinkler systems are more likely to withstand wildfire. Photo: Submitted
Central Saanich Fire Department Lt. Kyle Dupuis, firefighter Jamie Ravdin, firefighter Tristan Gentile & Lt. Greg Simpson have been deployed to fight the wildfires in Kelowna. (Central Saanich Fire Department/Instagram)

Kelowna family thanks Central Saanich firefighters for helping to save home

Malindi Elmore and her family came to the fire hall with sandwiches, drawings

Central Saanich Fire Department Lt. Kyle Dupuis, firefighter Jamie Ravdin, firefighter Tristan Gentile & Lt. Greg Simpson have been deployed to fight the wildfires in Kelowna. (Central Saanich Fire Department/Instagram)
Beaver Creek VFD members ensure the department’s engine is packed for deployment to Kelowna. (BEAVER CREEK VFD PHOTO)

Vancouver Island firefighters deploy to Okanagan to fight wildfires

Alberni Valley crews part of dozens joining task groups in Kelowna, Shuswap

Beaver Creek VFD members ensure the department’s engine is packed for deployment to Kelowna. (BEAVER CREEK VFD PHOTO)
The Crater Creek wildfire south of Keremeos has grown to more than 44,000 hectares in size and has crossed the border into the United States. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)

UPDATE: Crews fight Crater Creek wildfire near Keremeos under favourable conditions

The cross-border fire now sits at 44,000 hectares southwest of the Similkameen village

The Crater Creek wildfire south of Keremeos has grown to more than 44,000 hectares in size and has crossed the border into the United States. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)
Fire trucks and equipment from departments across B.C. staged at UBC Okanagan, Aug. 20, 2023. (Contributed)

More than 3,000 homes saved from McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna

Less than 90 structures expected to be lost in West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation

Fire trucks and equipment from departments across B.C. staged at UBC Okanagan, Aug. 20, 2023. (Contributed)
Thick smoke from wildfires burning in the area hangs in the air as motorists travel on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Kamloops, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Premier to get first-hand look at fire damage in B.C.’s southern Interior

David Eby, cabinet ministers expected to tour wildfire epicentre today

Thick smoke from wildfires burning in the area hangs in the air as motorists travel on the Trans-Canada Highway east of Kamloops, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire continues to burn northwest of Keremeos. (BC Wildfire Services)

Minimal activity overnight as Twin Lakes wildfire updated to 1,830 hectares

The blaze was human-caused

The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire continues to burn northwest of Keremeos. (BC Wildfire Services)
The Crater Creek wildfire south of Keremeos has been burning for one month now. (BC Wildfire Services)

Crater Creek wildfire south of Keremeos continues to burn 1 month later

The fire is 44,000 hectares in size

The Crater Creek wildfire south of Keremeos has been burning for one month now. (BC Wildfire Services)