B.C. Wildfires 2023

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)
The Kookipi Creek wildfire is an estimated 18,045.3 hectares as of Monday, Sept. 4, 2023 and remains out of control. (bc wildfire Service)

27 structures so far burned down by Kookipi Creek wildfire

6 residential homes and 21 recreational and maintenance buildings taken by fire

The Kookipi Creek wildfire is an estimated 18,045.3 hectares as of Monday, Sept. 4, 2023 and remains out of control. (bc wildfire Service)
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
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 Chehalis River wildfire, like the other wildfires in the Harrison area, has not shown significant growth over the Labour Day weekend. (Screenshot/BCWS)

Harrison area wildfires show no growth: BCWS

Three wildfires remain listed as out of control in the Harrison Hot…

The Chehalis River wildfire, like the other wildfires in the Harrison area, has not shown significant growth over the Labour Day weekend. (Screenshot/BCWS)
The Kookipi Creek wildfire is an estimated 18,045.3 hectares as of Monday, Sept. 4, 2023 and remains out of control. (BC Wildfire Service)

Evacuation orders downgraded for Kookipi Creek, Stein Mountain wildfires

Kookipi Creek is an estimated 18,045.3 ha., while Stein Mountain is 4,667.3 ha.

The Kookipi Creek wildfire is an estimated 18,045.3 hectares as of Monday, Sept. 4, 2023 and remains out of control. (BC Wildfire Service)
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
A wisp of smoke comes off of Bear Mountain near Harrison Hot Springs. This was one of a handful of wildfires that started early this week when thunderstorms rolled through the Fraser Valley. While the Bear Mountain fire is out of control, there are no open flames at this time. (Photo/Michelle Sharma)

UPDATE: BCWS deploys rappel team to remote Harrison area fire

Local situation largely shows more improvement as the week goes on

A wisp of smoke comes off of Bear Mountain near Harrison Hot Springs. This was one of a handful of wildfires that started early this week when thunderstorms rolled through the Fraser Valley. While the Bear Mountain fire is out of control, there are no open flames at this time. (Photo/Michelle Sharma)
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*
An aerial view of Angel Rock at Cameron Lake Bluffs on Highway 4. (PHOTO COURTESY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)

B.C. Highway 4 near Port Alberni open after months of wildfire repair

Section reopens to two-way traffic after an extended stretch of full and partial closures

An aerial view of Angel Rock at Cameron Lake Bluffs on Highway 4. (PHOTO COURTESY MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE)