Central Okanagan Regional District

The Spotted Lantern Fly is an invasive species and is considered a danger to the Okanagan fruit and wine industries. (RDCO photo)

Spotted Lantern Fly could eat into Okanagan fruit and wine industries

The fly is not currently in B.C. but it has landed in Ontario

 

The Avian flu has been detected in Summerland and a protected zone has been set up by the CFIA. (Black Press file photo)

Two cases of avian flu identified in Okanagan

Investigations underway in Central and North Okanagan

 

Extensive wildfire damage is visible from Okanagan Lake after the McDougall Creek wildfire swept through the Central Okanagan. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

What remains on the west side of Okanagan Lake as wildfire evacuees return home

Dockside Marine assisted in taking Black Press on a boat tour of the wildfire area

  • Sep 15, 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)

‘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)
BC Wildfire Services continue to battle the McDougall Creek wildfire that’s been burning since Tuesday, Aug. 15. (BC Wildfire Services)

Evacuation order lifted for some Westbank First Nation properties

Properties on Lindley Drive and Lindley Road have been downgraded to an alert

BC Wildfire Services continue to battle the McDougall Creek wildfire that’s been burning since Tuesday, Aug. 15. (BC Wildfire Services)
The Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country started Aug. 18, 2023 (Contributed)

UPDATE: No change in size of McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna

‘People must remember, the fire is being held, the fire is not out,’ Lake Country’s mayor cautioned

The Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country started Aug. 18, 2023 (Contributed)
Fintry residents Real Gousy, Rick Walker and Elsa check in at the Emergency Support Services reception centre at Vernon's Kal Tire Place Friday after being evacuated. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

More than 1,000 wildfire evacuees in Vernon

Most from West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Westside Road, Kelowna and Lake Country, some from Shuswap area

Fintry residents Real Gousy, Rick Walker and Elsa check in at the Emergency Support Services reception centre at Vernon's Kal Tire Place Friday after being evacuated. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
The Walroy Lake wildfire sits at 794 hectares going into Wednesday, Aug. 23 and continues to display low fire activity. (Mark Rogers/Facebook)

Feelings of elation as Walroy Lake wildfire held, Kelowna evacuees to return home

Residents can visit cordemergency.ca for the latest updates to evacuation orders

The Walroy Lake wildfire sits at 794 hectares going into Wednesday, Aug. 23 and continues to display low fire activity. (Mark Rogers/Facebook)
Damage from the McDougall Creek Wildfire. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

13 Wilson’s Landing firefighters lose their homes to McDougall Creek wildfire

‘You showed up and fought this fire while your own homes were burning behind you’

Damage from the McDougall Creek Wildfire. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
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 McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home, in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Nearly 60 structures confirmed lost or damaged in Central Okanagan wildfires

‘Thank the firefighters that are out there kicking ass’

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home, in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Walroy Lake wildfire in the Glenmore/Wilden area of Kelowna around 8:45 p.m. on Friday night, Aug. 18. (Debbie Payne/Facebook)

UPDATE: UBCO, Quail Ridge area of Kelowna no longer on evacuation order

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Walroy Lake wildfire remains at 769 hectares

The Walroy Lake wildfire in the Glenmore/Wilden area of Kelowna around 8:45 p.m. on Friday night, Aug. 18. (Debbie Payne/Facebook)
RCMP officers meet at a roadblock after evacuating the Wilden neighbourhood near Knox Mountain due to a wildfire burning above homes, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Kelowna RCMP stop duo who forced their way behind fire line

‘To ensure we can provide an appropriate and coordinated regional response to this fire’

RCMP officers meet at a roadblock after evacuating the Wilden neighbourhood near Knox Mountain due to a wildfire burning above homes, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Joanne Zebroff captured this image of the Kelowna wildfire in Clifton/McKinley on Aug. 18, 2023. (Facebook)

Community leaders urge calm and patience as crews battle Okanagan wildfires

‘We have been here before, and we got through it together’

Joanne Zebroff captured this image of the Kelowna wildfire in Clifton/McKinley on Aug. 18, 2023. (Facebook)
Central Okanagan had its busiest month ever in June. (COSAR/Submitted)

Record breaking number of search and rescues in Central Okanagan

In 69 years of searching, July 2023 was COSAR’s busiest month ever

Central Okanagan had its busiest month ever in June. (COSAR/Submitted)
A study is being conducted to understand the behaviour of Okanagan cougars. (HCTF/Submitted)

B.C.’s ‘most comprehensive cougar study to date’ coming to Okanagan

40 cougars to be fitted with GPS collars

A study is being conducted to understand the behaviour of Okanagan cougars. (HCTF/Submitted)
(Black Press Media files)

Central Okanagan teacher suspended for 4th time for ‘inappropriate conduct’

Most recently, Justin Enns has been suspended for five days from Jun. 5-9

(Black Press Media files)
A report from Statistics Canada shows Kelowna with the highest rate in the country for 2021. (File photo)

Kelowna had Canada’s highest crime rate in 2021

Kelowna also ranked seventh worse in the country for violent crime

A report from Statistics Canada shows Kelowna with the highest rate in the country for 2021. (File photo)