B.C. Wildfires 2023

Kukpi7 (Chief) James Tomma, with Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hadju, addresses the crowd at the Welcome Home celebration of the new Dancing Fawn II neighbourhood on Wednesday, April 24. (Heather Black-Salmon Arm Observer)

Skwlāx band in Shuswap takes first step home in wildfire recovery

‘This is the start of a great rebuild for our entire band, both physically and mentally’

 

On Saturday, Oct. 7, 2024 OAC held an open house for the public to see the devastation the camp sustained in the McDougall Creek wildfire. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

Archaeological assessment for Okanagan church camp destroyed in wildfire

Okanagan Anglican Camp lost its buildings in the McDougall Creek wildfire

 

Smoke billows from the Donnie Creek wildfire burning north of Fort St. John, British Columbia, on Sunday, July 2, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Noah Berger

Some ‘holdover’ 2023 B.C. wildfires still smouldering, showing smoke

BC Wildfire Service this is expected from larger fires, and due to the ongoing drought conditions

 

This 2023 wildfire near Entiako Park, located approximately 150 km southeast of Houston and 150 km southwest of Vanderhoof, directly east of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, helped to pump 102 megatonnes of carbon from provincial wildfires into the atmosphere. The figure comes from the European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring System. (Pete Laing/Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

2023 B.C. wildfires pumped 102 megatonnes of carbon into atmosphere: EU

B.C.’s total greenhouse emissions in 2021 were 40 megatonnes less than 2023 wildfires on their own

This 2023 wildfire near Entiako Park, located approximately 150 km southeast of Houston and 150 km southwest of Vanderhoof, directly east of Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, helped to pump 102 megatonnes of carbon from provincial wildfires into the atmosphere. The figure comes from the European Union’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring System. (Pete Laing/Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
Helicopters fly past the Tremont Creek wildfire as it burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. wildfires still burning in more than 100 locations

Drought, warmth and volume combine to mean last year’s record season is not officially over

Helicopters fly past the Tremont Creek wildfire as it burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Danger tree falling has been completed over Highway 4 at Cameron Bluffs. The landscape looks different as the fire continues to smoulder, but is considered ‘under control.’ (BC WILDFIRE SERVICE PHOTO)

B.C. to appeal $710K WorkSafeBC penalty on ‘unsafe’ wildfire practices

Province says improvements are warranted, but the fine amount is ‘disproportionately high’

Danger tree falling has been completed over Highway 4 at Cameron Bluffs. The landscape looks different as the fire continues to smoulder, but is considered ‘under control.’ (BC WILDFIRE SERVICE PHOTO)
<div>Researchers at Western University say they’ve confirmed that a fire-generated tornado occurred in British Columbia this summer after a video of the “rarely observed” event went viral back in August. 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</div>

Wildfire-generated tornado seen over B.C. lake confirmed by researchers

‘Pyro-tornado’ over Gun Lake the first documented by the Northern Tornadoes Project

<div>Researchers at Western University say they’ve confirmed that a fire-generated tornado occurred in British Columbia this summer after a video of the “rarely observed” event went viral back in August. 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</div>
As the smoke lifts on the worst wildfire season ever recorded in Canada, some question whether the country has the fleet of aerial water bombers it needs keep up with longer, more intense seasons fuelled by climate change. A Canadair waterbomber drops a load of water over the Cape Breton Highlands in Nova Scotia on Friday Aug. 10, 2001. THE CANADIAN PRESS

Does Canada’s sky fleet pack enough punch to cope with climate change?

Growth of wildfires raising questions about water bomber effectiveness

As the smoke lifts on the worst wildfire season ever recorded in Canada, some question whether the country has the fleet of aerial water bombers it needs keep up with longer, more intense seasons fuelled by climate change. A Canadair waterbomber drops a load of water over the Cape Breton Highlands in Nova Scotia on Friday Aug. 10, 2001. THE CANADIAN PRESS
Maureen McGee searches for belongings in the ruins of her family’s home after it was destroyed in a wildfire earlier this month in the suburban community of Hammonds Plains, N.S., outside of Halifax on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Seven months after a wildfire left a dark, 1,000-hectare scare on the western suburbs of Halifax, less visible damage persists in the lives of those who lost their homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Homeowner costs continue to mount in wake of record wildfire season

Insurance gaps, unexpected remediation drawing resources as tax bills grow

Maureen McGee searches for belongings in the ruins of her family’s home after it was destroyed in a wildfire earlier this month in the suburban community of Hammonds Plains, N.S., outside of Halifax on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Seven months after a wildfire left a dark, 1,000-hectare scare on the western suburbs of Halifax, less visible damage persists in the lives of those who lost their homes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
Members of the Wilson’s Landing, B.C., Fire Department pose for a group photo in a September 2023, handout image, about three weeks after a fast-moving wildfire swept through their small community on the shores of Okanagan Lake, near West Kelowna, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Lt. Frank McKenzie

Wildfires will mean a ‘very different Christmas’ for many B.C. residents

Residents share their holiday stories in the wake of summer wildfire devastation

Members of the Wilson’s Landing, B.C., Fire Department pose for a group photo in a September 2023, handout image, about three weeks after a fast-moving wildfire swept through their small community on the shores of Okanagan Lake, near West Kelowna, B.C. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Lt. Frank McKenzie
Environment Canada’s top climatologist says coast-to-coast wildfires made for the country’s top weather story of 2023. Helicopters fly past the Tremont Creek wildfire as it burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfires burning from coast to coast Canada’s weather story of the year

‘What we’re seeing is the preview of what we’re going to be seeing in the future’

Environment Canada’s top climatologist says coast-to-coast wildfires made for the country’s top weather story of 2023. Helicopters fly past the Tremont Creek wildfire as it burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund (right) will be dropping the puck at the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7. (Vancouver Canucks/X)

West Kelowna fire chief dropping the puck at Canucks firefighters night

The Canucks visited Jason Brolund and the West Kelowna Fire Hall back in September

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund (right) will be dropping the puck at the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7. (Vancouver Canucks/X)
West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund (right) will be dropping the puck at the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7. (Vancouver Canucks/X)

West Kelowna fire chief dropping the puck at Canucks firefighters night

The Canucks visited Jason Brolund and the West Kelowna Fire Hall back in September

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund (right) will be dropping the puck at the Vancouver Canucks game at Rogers Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7. (Vancouver Canucks/X)
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)

West Kelowna wildfire picture makes Time’s top 100 photos of the year

The photo was taken by 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)
Sean Coubrough, CSRD deputy regional fire chief, stands in front of the remains of the Scotch Creek/Lee Creek fire hall after the Bush Creek East wildfire burned through the area. (File photo)

Wildfire recovery in B.C.’s North Shuswap could be years in the making

Consultant hired to help steer the project and break it into workable parts

  • Nov 30, 2023
Sean Coubrough, CSRD deputy regional fire chief, stands in front of the remains of the Scotch Creek/Lee Creek fire hall after the Bush Creek East wildfire burned through the area. (File photo)
New legislation passed Wednesday promises to improve B.C.’s response before, during and after natural emergencies. (BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. passes new legislation aimed at preparing for and mitigating emergencies

New Democrats, Greens vote in favour of Bill 31, BC United, Conservatives against it

New legislation passed Wednesday promises to improve B.C.’s response before, during and after natural emergencies. (BC Wildfire Service)
The 4th annual Canadian Wildfire Conference was held in Kelowna on Oct. 26, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

VIDEO: Wildfire conference in Kelowna reflects on worst year in Canadian history

The conference was hosted by WINGS Magazine

  • Oct 29, 2023
The 4th annual Canadian Wildfire Conference was held in Kelowna on Oct. 26, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
The 4th Annual Canadian Wildfire Conference was held Oct. 26, 2023 at the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence in Kelowna. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

FireSmart is key to structural protection, Canadian Wildfire Conference

The conference was held in Kelowna

  • Oct 26, 2023
The 4th Annual Canadian Wildfire Conference was held Oct. 26, 2023 at the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence in Kelowna. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
On Aug. 17, BC Wildfire Service conducted a planned aerial ignition along a power line southeast of the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire to prevent the fire’s spread to North Shuswap communities. (Jim Cooperman photo)

Planned ignition during North Shuswap wildfire under investigation

Shuswap man has own study conducted of Aug. 17 back burn

On Aug. 17, BC Wildfire Service conducted a planned aerial ignition along a power line southeast of the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire to prevent the fire’s spread to North Shuswap communities. (Jim Cooperman photo)
The burned remains of the Scotch Creek-Lee Creek fire department and community hall are seen in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. British Columbia’s forest watchdog has confirmed it is investigating the province’s response to wildfires that ripped through small communities on the shores of Shuswap Lake in August, destroying or damaging more than 200 properties.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Forest Practices Board investigates planned back burn in Shuswap region

The forests watchdog received a complaint about the BC Wildfire Service’s use of a planned ignition

The burned remains of the Scotch Creek-Lee Creek fire department and community hall are seen in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. British Columbia’s forest watchdog has confirmed it is investigating the province’s response to wildfires that ripped through small communities on the shores of Shuswap Lake in August, destroying or damaging more than 200 properties.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck