B.C. Wildfires 2023

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund gives an update on the McDougall Creek wildfire during a regional briefing on Aug. 23, 2023. (RDCO/YouTube)

‘Incremental improvements’ on McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna

‘Things are looking good, but we still have a long way to go’

West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund gives an update on the McDougall Creek wildfire during a regional briefing on Aug. 23, 2023. (RDCO/YouTube)
A growing body of international research suggests pollution from wildfire smoke can produce cognitive deficits, post-traumatic stress and may even cause or hasten dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.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, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Wildfire smoke can damage the brain long after flames are extinguished

Research says exposure may increase risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease

A growing body of international research suggests pollution from wildfire smoke can produce cognitive deficits, post-traumatic stress and may even cause or hasten dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.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, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The McDougall Creek wildfire, in West Kelowna, is an estimated 12,270 hectares as of Aug. 23, 2023. it was first discovered on Aug. 15. At least 90 properties have been damaged fully or partially by the wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)

Travel restrictions remain for West Kelowna; B.C. urges caution

25,000 people remain on evacuation order and another 37,000 are on alert

The McDougall Creek wildfire, in West Kelowna, is an estimated 12,270 hectares as of Aug. 23, 2023. it was first discovered on Aug. 15. At least 90 properties have been damaged fully or partially by the wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)
A fallen tree burns at the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire, in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Firefighters in British Columbia’s southern interior continue to battle a number of significant wildfires even as cooler, wetter weather is anticipated in the region. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. wildfires: Drenching rain may bring relief, but also ‘debris flows’

Up to to 80 millimetres of Interior rainfall forecast, localized flooding possible

A fallen tree burns at the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire, in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. Firefighters in British Columbia’s southern interior continue to battle a number of significant wildfires even as cooler, wetter weather is anticipated in the region. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
High fire intensity and strong winds, among other conditions, led to the “incredibly rare phenomenon” of a fire whirl or fire tornado near Lillooet on Aug. 17. (BC Wildfire Service)

VIDEO: Fire tornado starts in B.C. due to high fire intensity, strong winds

BC Wildfire Service says fire whirls are an ‘incredibly rare phenomenon’

High fire intensity and strong winds, among other conditions, led to the “incredibly rare phenomenon” of a fire whirl or fire tornado near Lillooet on Aug. 17. (BC Wildfire Service)
A total of 90 properties have been partially or fully damaged by the McDougall Creek wildfire in the North Westside, fire chief Ross Kotscherofski said in a media conference Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (Sharon Smith/Facebook)

90 properties damaged by wildfire in North Westside

Fire chief says rain, cooler temperatures have made firefighting easier

A total of 90 properties have been partially or fully damaged by the McDougall Creek wildfire in the North Westside, fire chief Ross Kotscherofski said in a media conference Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (Sharon Smith/Facebook)
The Kendry Creek wildfire east of Armstrong and Spallumcheen is now known as the Baker Forest Service Wildfire. The fire, discovered Tuesday, Aug. 22, did not have any new significant growth. (Contributed)

UPDATE: North Okanagan wildfire gets new name, some new growth

Crews continue to battle the Baker Forest Service Wildfire near Kendry Creek in Spallumcheen

The Kendry Creek wildfire east of Armstrong and Spallumcheen is now known as the Baker Forest Service Wildfire. The fire, discovered Tuesday, Aug. 22, did not have any new significant growth. (Contributed)
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)
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
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)