B.C. Wildfires 2023

Sean Coubrough, CSRD deputy regional fire chief, stands in front of the remains of the Scotch Creek/Lee Creek fire hall after the Bush Creek East wildfire burned through the area. (File photo)

Wildfire recovery in B.C.’s North Shuswap could be years in the making

Consultant hired to help steer the project and break it into workable parts

  • Nov 30, 2023

 

New legislation passed Wednesday promises to improve B.C.’s response before, during and after natural emergencies. (BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. passes new legislation aimed at preparing for and mitigating emergencies

New Democrats, Greens vote in favour of Bill 31, BC United, Conservatives against it

 

The 4th annual Canadian Wildfire Conference was held in Kelowna on Oct. 26, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

VIDEO: Wildfire conference in Kelowna reflects on worst year in Canadian history

The conference was hosted by WINGS Magazine

  • Oct 29, 2023

 

The 4th Annual Canadian Wildfire Conference was held Oct. 26, 2023 at the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence in Kelowna. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

FireSmart is key to structural protection, Canadian Wildfire Conference

The conference was held in Kelowna

  • Oct 26, 2023
The 4th Annual Canadian Wildfire Conference was held Oct. 26, 2023 at the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence in Kelowna. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
On Aug. 17, BC Wildfire Service conducted a planned aerial ignition along a power line southeast of the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire to prevent the fire’s spread to North Shuswap communities. (Jim Cooperman photo)

Planned ignition during North Shuswap wildfire under investigation

Shuswap man has own study conducted of Aug. 17 back burn

On Aug. 17, BC Wildfire Service conducted a planned aerial ignition along a power line southeast of the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire to prevent the fire’s spread to North Shuswap communities. (Jim Cooperman photo)
The burned remains of the Scotch Creek-Lee Creek fire department and community hall are seen in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. British Columbia’s forest watchdog has confirmed it is investigating the province’s response to wildfires that ripped through small communities on the shores of Shuswap Lake in August, destroying or damaging more than 200 properties.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Forest Practices Board investigates planned back burn in Shuswap region

The forests watchdog received a complaint about the BC Wildfire Service’s use of a planned ignition

The burned remains of the Scotch Creek-Lee Creek fire department and community hall are seen in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. British Columbia’s forest watchdog has confirmed it is investigating the province’s response to wildfires that ripped through small communities on the shores of Shuswap Lake in August, destroying or damaging more than 200 properties.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Milo the cat was badly burned and rescued from the McDougall Creek fire and taken to emergency vet care. His vet fell in love with him and when he was surrendered, the vet took him in. (ALERT Facebook)

Furry tail ending for cat badly burned in West Kelowna wildfire

Veterinarian who took Milo into emergency care fell in love with him and took him home

Milo the cat was badly burned and rescued from the McDougall Creek fire and taken to emergency vet care. His vet fell in love with him and when he was surrendered, the vet took him in. (ALERT Facebook)
The Grouse Complex of wildfires that hit the Central Okanagan in August and September made devastating impacts to the community. (BC Wildfire Service) The Grouse Complex of wildfires that hit the Central Okanagan in August and September made devastating impacts to the community. (BC Wildfire Service)

51 days of fire that gripped the Central Okanagan: A look back at the Grouse Complex

The Grouse Complex of wildfires lasted 51 days

The Grouse Complex of wildfires that hit the Central Okanagan in August and September made devastating impacts to the community. (BC Wildfire Service) The Grouse Complex of wildfires that hit the Central Okanagan in August and September made devastating impacts to the community. (BC Wildfire Service)
On Saturday, Oct. 7, Camp OAC held an open house for the public to see the devastation the camp encountered from the Grouse Complex of wildfires that hit the Central Okanagan in August. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

PHOTOS: Public sees wildfire devastation at West Kelowna’s Camp OAC before rebuild begins

The rebuild will cost $2 to 3 million

On Saturday, Oct. 7, Camp OAC held an open house for the public to see the devastation the camp encountered from the Grouse Complex of wildfires that hit the Central Okanagan in August. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
The Lacey family trailer sitting on the property of what was to be their brand new home in West Kelowna before a wildfire swallowed the build and destroyed many neighbouring properties. (Facebook/Patrick Lacey)

Wildfire takes home, thieves take hope for West Kelowna family

The Lacey family was two month away from completing their new home

  • Oct 3, 2023
The Lacey family trailer sitting on the property of what was to be their brand new home in West Kelowna before a wildfire swallowed the build and destroyed many neighbouring properties. (Facebook/Patrick Lacey)
Devastating from a burn home caused by the Walroy Lake wildfire in Kelowna. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

2 small-town Manitoba women on front lines of wildfire recovery in B.C.

Volunteers contracted by B.C. government to run evacuation centres in Kelowna, Kamloops

  • Oct 2, 2023
Devastating from a burn home caused by the Walroy Lake wildfire in Kelowna. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
More than three million hectares of land have been destroyed by fire in 2023. This is more than twice as much as the amount of land burned in 2018, in the province’s second-worst wildfire season. (BC Wildfire Service)

B.C. wildfires in 2023 scorch 3 million hectares

Land burned is more than twice as great as in 2018 wildfire season

More than three million hectares of land have been destroyed by fire in 2023. This is more than twice as much as the amount of land burned in 2018, in the province’s second-worst wildfire season. (BC Wildfire Service)
Chase RCMP located what appeared to be a non-emergency vehicle driving in an evacuated area of Sorrento on Aug. 21, 2023. (File photo)

Shuswap man claiming to be firefighter handed 90-day driving prohibition

Officers located driver in evacuated area of Sorrento

Chase RCMP located what appeared to be a non-emergency vehicle driving in an evacuated area of Sorrento on Aug. 21, 2023. (File photo)
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

Wildfire danger drops, bans lift as B.C. gets cooler, wetter

6 wildfires of note still burning across province, majority in the Prince George fire district

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
Angela Cornish received 6-month conditional sentence for arson Tuesday in provincial court in Kamloops. (Kamloops This Week file photo)

6-month conditional sentence for B.C. woman who started 2 wildfires

Angela Cornish pleaded guilty to two arsons near the southern Interior community of Lac Le Jeune

Angela Cornish received 6-month conditional sentence for arson Tuesday in provincial court in Kamloops. (Kamloops This Week file photo)
Despite being held and more favourable conditions on the way, smoke from the McDougall Creek wildfire might still be visible during the fall season. (BC Wildfire Service)

End in sight for McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna

The fire started on Tuesday, Aug. 15

Despite being held and more favourable conditions on the way, smoke from the McDougall Creek wildfire might still be visible during the fall season. (BC Wildfire Service)
Burned trees are seen above a neighbourhood in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Evacuation orders and alerts have been lifted for all but one property in West Kelowna, about five weeks after thousands were chased out by a fast-moving wildfire. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel

Wildfire orders and alerts disappearing in B.C.’s southern Interior

Notifications eased around high-profile McDougall Creek, Glen Lake, Bush Creek East wildfires

Burned trees are seen above a neighbourhood in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Evacuation orders and alerts have been lifted for all but one property in West Kelowna, about five weeks after thousands were chased out by a fast-moving wildfire. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel
The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police “E” Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. The four British Columbia firefighters who died in a highway crash this week all worked for a Kamloops-based contractor, whose owner says they were like family. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

4 ‘irreplaceable’ lives lost, B.C. families, firefighting contractor mourn

Firefighters killed in highway crash near Cache Creek worked for Kamloops-based Tomahawk Ventures

The RCMP logo is seen outside Royal Canadian Mounted Police “E” Division Headquarters, in Surrey, B.C., on Friday April 13, 2018. The four British Columbia firefighters who died in a highway crash this week all worked for a Kamloops-based contractor, whose owner says they were like family. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
This photo was taken at 1:45 a.m. on Aug. 30 from the chicken farm on Fredrickson Road in Sorrento. Shuswap Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Ty Barrett said the Bush Creek East wildfire was coming down the mountain and through a dry grassy field, driven by aggressive winds. Firefighters stood their ground at a one-kilometre fire line and were able to keep the blaze from reaching any structures. (Ty Barrett photo)

VIEWPOINT: Shuswap deputy fire chief grateful for support during wildfire fight

‘We couldn’t have done it without them’

  • Sep 21, 2023
This photo was taken at 1:45 a.m. on Aug. 30 from the chicken farm on Fredrickson Road in Sorrento. Shuswap Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief Ty Barrett said the Bush Creek East wildfire was coming down the mountain and through a dry grassy field, driven by aggressive winds. Firefighters stood their ground at a one-kilometre fire line and were able to keep the blaze from reaching any structures. (Ty Barrett photo)
After 37 days, the McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna is now being held. (BC Wildfire Service)

Nearly all residents have returned home following West Kelowna wildfire

The blaze is now unlikely to spread beyond predetermined boundaries

After 37 days, the McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna is now being held. (BC Wildfire Service)