Fire evacuation

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

 

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 burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. Canadian insurers are grappling with higher risk of wildfires amid a record-breaking season, and experts say rising premiums are just one part of how the industry is seeking to adapt to an ever-changing new normal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

More West Kelowna residents heading home as evacuation order downgraded to alert

The change is for the Tallus Ridge, Shannon Woods Drive and Rainbow Road areas

 

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)
Evacuation orders have been downgraded in the Shuswap Friday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2023. (CSRD photo)

Evacuation order lifted for more Shuswap areas

Residents can now make their way home, but are still under an evacuation alert

Evacuation orders have been downgraded in the Shuswap Friday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2023. (CSRD photo)
The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the McDougall Creek wildfire in the Central Okanagan Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (BC Wildfire photo)

BC Wildfire conducting aerial ignition on McDougall Creek wildfire

Crews are working to strengthen control lines in the northern portion of the McDougall Creek wildfire

The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the McDougall Creek wildfire in the Central Okanagan Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (BC Wildfire photo)
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)
Image of the Bush Creek East wildfire. (Cory Erlandson)

Shuswap winery, vacation home saved from wildfire ‘thanks to those who stayed behind’

Staff of Celista Winery stay in fire zone to fight flames

  • Aug 23, 2023
Image of the Bush Creek East wildfire. (Cory Erlandson)
Premier David Eby, left to right, looks on with B.C. Minister of Emergency Readiness Bowinn Ma, Federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan and incident commander Brad Litke as Wildcat Helicopter pilot Folef Graafland goes over safety instructions before boarding to survey wildfire damage in the area at Wildcat Helicopters in West Kelowna, B.C., on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

‘Increasingly divisive issue’: Ma says B.C. evacuations orders must be followed

Emergency Management Minister says equipment being moved can put the ‘whole unified strategy at risk’

Premier David Eby, left to right, looks on with B.C. Minister of Emergency Readiness Bowinn Ma, Federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan and incident commander Brad Litke as Wildcat Helicopter pilot Folef Graafland goes over safety instructions before boarding to survey wildfire damage in the area at Wildcat Helicopters in West Kelowna, B.C., on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
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 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)
A lone firefighter stayed behind at Pettman Road to save structures threatened by the McDougall Creek fire. (contributed)

‘Single angel firefighter’ stays behind to fight flames with garden hose in West Kelowna

A single firefighter stayed behind to extinguish flames and save three homes on Pettman Road

  • Aug 21, 2023
A lone firefighter stayed behind at Pettman Road to save structures threatened by the McDougall Creek fire. (contributed)
Wildfire evacuees at the reception centre at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna on Aug. 19, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

Central Okanagan fire evacuees say support system too slow

Kelowna West MLA said the Royal LePage volunteers are assisting about 400 people per day

  • Aug 19, 2023
Wildfire evacuees at the reception centre at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna on Aug. 19, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
An evacuation order has been issued for the Celista area in the North Shuswap up to Evans Road Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (CSRD photo)

Evacuation order expanded in North Shuswap community

The Celista area up to Evans Road is under an evacuation order due to Lower East Adams Lake wildfire

An evacuation order has been issued for the Celista area in the North Shuswap up to Evans Road Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (CSRD photo)
Mats and blankets greet wildfire evacuees at the ESS reception centre at Kal Tire Place in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

B.C. working to provide more emergency accommodation for wildfire evacuees

Emergency Management Minister urges people to stay with friends, family if possible

Mats and blankets greet wildfire evacuees at the ESS reception centre at Kal Tire Place in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
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)

Kelowna wildfire evacuees in Vernon praying they have a home to return to

Hundreds registering at ESS from multiple fires burning

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)
A number of properties on Rawson Road as well as the northern reach of Tsútswecw Park are under an evacuation due to the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (Shuswap Emergency Program photo)

Evacuation order issued for Adams Lake properties in Shuswap

Ferry service closed except for evacuees, emergency services

A number of properties on Rawson Road as well as the northern reach of Tsútswecw Park are under an evacuation due to the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (Shuswap Emergency Program photo)
The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire has grown to more than 200 hectares. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)

UPDATE: Twin Lakes wildfire grows over 740 hectares as hundreds remain evacuated

The ‘aggressive’ Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire continues to rapidly grow west of Okanagan Falls

The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire has grown to more than 200 hectares. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)
Evacuation alerts currently in place for Lee Creek and Scotch Creek could be upgraded to evacuation orders due to windy conditions Thursday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2023. (CSRD photo)

Evacuation orders loom in Shuswap as heavy winds could increase wildfire activity

CSRD urging those on evacuation alert from the Adams Lake wildfire to be prepared to leave

Evacuation alerts currently in place for Lee Creek and Scotch Creek could be upgraded to evacuation orders due to windy conditions Thursday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2023. (CSRD photo)