B.C. Wildfires 2023

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
A B.C. Wildfire Service helicopter lands near Cogburn Creek. Multiple wildfires were discovered this week in the Harrison Hot Springs-Harrison Lake area, most of which were caused by lightning from passing thunderstorms. (Photo/Harrison Adventure RVing)

Wildfire situation in Harrison area improves

1 fire is out, 2 are coming under control

A B.C. Wildfire Service helicopter lands near Cogburn Creek. Multiple wildfires were discovered this week in the Harrison Hot Springs-Harrison Lake area, most of which were caused by lightning from passing thunderstorms. (Photo/Harrison Adventure RVing)
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)
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)

VIDEO: ‘Nothing left’: West Kelowna resident reveals shocking wildfire damage

The Bear Creek Road resident escorts Black Press onto fire damaged property

  • Aug 30, 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)
File photo. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)

Extreme weather is sending Okanagan migrant farmworkers home early

Fires forced hundreds of workers to evacuate from West Kelowna and Lake Country

  • Aug 30, 2023
File photo. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times)
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

Wind whips up more wildfire anxiety in parts of B.C. as rainfall stalls

No measurable precipitation at Kelowna or Salmon Arm airports: Environment Canada

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
Skyler Punnett’s new illistration, ‘The Crow That Ate The Wind,’ honours the first responders who fight wildfires. (Skyler Punnett)

Penticton artist honours firefighters nationwide

Proceeds from the work’s sales set to go to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Skyler Punnett’s new illistration, ‘The Crow That Ate The Wind,’ honours the first responders who fight wildfires. (Skyler Punnett)
Seen in a long exposure photograph, lightning flashes over Siskiyou County, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Lightning pushes B.C. wildfire count past 400, rain may help pushback

47 new blazes recorded in the past day as weather a blessing and a curse

Seen in a long exposure photograph, lightning flashes over Siskiyou County, Calif., on Sunday, July 31, 2022. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
(Mamas for Mamas/Submitted)

‘Immense honour’: Trudeau recognizes Kelowna charity’s wildfire relief efforts

Justin Trudeau visited Mamas for Mamas on Kelowna wildfire trip to thank those on front lines

(Mamas for Mamas/Submitted)
Smoky skies have plagued the Okanagan for weeks due to wildfires in the area. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Smoky skies cloud B.C. air quality

Another advisory in place for several regions of province

Smoky skies have plagued the Okanagan for weeks due to wildfires in the area. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Boo enjoying his ice bath. (Kicking Horse Refuge)

Hot days, cool treats for Golden’s Boo the bear

Keeping Boo safe and cool has been a priority for the refuge

Boo enjoying his ice bath. (Kicking Horse Refuge)
Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon has reopened Aug. 29, 2023 after it was closed for more than a week because of the Kookipi Creek wildfire, which is estimated to be 16,961 hectares as of Aug. 29, 2023. (BC Wildfire Service)

Highway 1 reopens through the Fraser Canyon after wildfire closure

Kookipi Creek wildfire nearly 17,000 hectares

Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon has reopened Aug. 29, 2023 after it was closed for more than a week because of the Kookipi Creek wildfire, which is estimated to be 16,961 hectares as of Aug. 29, 2023. (BC Wildfire Service)
Lightning started a wildfire outside of Harrison Hot Springs during Monday evening’s thunderstorms. (Screenshot/BCWS)

UPDATE: Four new wildfires discovered in Harrison Lake area on Tuesday

Local firefighters assessing the situation

Lightning started a wildfire outside of Harrison Hot Springs during Monday evening’s thunderstorms. (Screenshot/BCWS)
A warning sign about fire risk is seen as smoke from wildfires fills the air in Kelowna, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Scorching heat ignites fresh wildfire concern in northeastern B.C.

South central region prays rain helps, with just over 380 active blazes burning B.C.

A warning sign about fire risk is seen as smoke from wildfires fills the air in Kelowna, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck