Jennifer Smith

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Five fires sparked near the Monashee Provincial Park are estimated to be burning more than 1,700 hectares, collectively. (BC Wildfire Services)

Monashee wildfires see massive growth in North Okanagan

5 fires continue to burn out of control near Monashee Provincial Park; burning more than 1,700 hectares collectively

Five fires sparked near the Monashee Provincial Park are estimated to be burning more than 1,700 hectares, collectively. (BC Wildfire Services)
Emcee Brian Martin and auctioneer Don Raffan helped raise a record $63,000 for the Vernon Art Gallery at the Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts July 21 atop the Nixon Wenger building. (VPAG photo)

Midsummer’s draws up record support for North Okanagan Art Gallery

Rooftop patio party raises $63,000

Emcee Brian Martin and auctioneer Don Raffan helped raise a record $63,000 for the Vernon Art Gallery at the Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts July 21 atop the Nixon Wenger building. (VPAG photo)
A fire at the Warren Peace Bunny Sanctuary was quickly doused on the weekend. (Antoinette Monod photo)

Firefighters save bunny sanctuary from blaze in Lake Country

No bunny was injured at Warren Peace Bunny Sanctuary

A fire at the Warren Peace Bunny Sanctuary was quickly doused on the weekend. (Antoinette Monod photo)
Gary's Woodfired Pizza got some slack on the weekend for operating an open flame in Lake Country. (Contributed)

Pizza business gets Okanagan residents fired up

Wood fired pizza truck operating with exemption, while barbecues banned in parks

Gary's Woodfired Pizza got some slack on the weekend for operating an open flame in Lake Country. (Contributed)
The Michaud Creek wildfire burning along Lower Arrow Lake pictured July 17. (Ashley Voykin photo)

Edgewood fire evacuation order downgraded to alert

Hundreds allowed to return home

The Michaud Creek wildfire burning along Lower Arrow Lake pictured July 17. (Ashley Voykin photo)
Sylvan Lake has banned charcoal barbecues in parks because of safety risks. Too many people were disposing of hot coals improperly. Photo from pixabay.com

Barbecues banned in Central Okanagan parks

Extreme fire danger prompts prohibition of open flames in public

Sylvan Lake has banned charcoal barbecues in parks because of safety risks. Too many people were disposing of hot coals improperly. Photo from pixabay.com
Okanagan Indian Band kids recently enjoyed a fun, safe day on the lake thanks to the donation of lifejackets for the children. (Vernon Recreation Services photo)

Okanagan Indian Band kids buoyed by lifejacket donation

Vernon resident doubles donation to keep kids safe

Okanagan Indian Band kids recently enjoyed a fun, safe day on the lake thanks to the donation of lifejackets for the children. (Vernon Recreation Services photo)
A fire burning in the hills in the BX/Spallumcheen area is being actioned by a helicopter bucketing water Monday afternoon. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Greenhow fire in North Okanagan continues to flare up

Firefighters still dousing hot spots at blaze north of Vernon

A fire burning in the hills in the BX/Spallumcheen area is being actioned by a helicopter bucketing water Monday afternoon. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
The Turtle Bay Pub will be closed until July 30 due to staff exposures to COVID-19. (Turtle Bay Pub photo)

Popular Okanagan pub closed due to COVID-19 exposure

Several staff exposed to COVID-19 at Turtle Bay Pub

The Turtle Bay Pub will be closed until July 30 due to staff exposures to COVID-19. (Turtle Bay Pub photo)
Gena Barzan delivers cat food and supplies for a wildfire evacuee from Westwold Wednesday, July 21. (Animal Auxiliary photo)

Vernon group gives wildfire evacuated animals a leg up

Donations collected for North and South Okanagan evacauted pets

Gena Barzan delivers cat food and supplies for a wildfire evacuee from Westwold Wednesday, July 21. (Animal Auxiliary photo)
Crews battle the White Rock Lake fire, which has some Westwold residents under evacuation order and even more on alert. (Brent Robertson photo)

North Okanagan ranch helping wildfire evacuees and animals

O’Keefe Ranch has room for people and pets

Crews battle the White Rock Lake fire, which has some Westwold residents under evacuation order and even more on alert. (Brent Robertson photo)
An evacuation alert for Renata was issued July 21, 2021. (BC Wildfire Services - Twitter)

UPDATE: Renata on evac alert after area wildfires merge by Lower Arrow Lake

Residents on order to leave immediately July 21

An evacuation alert for Renata was issued July 21, 2021. (BC Wildfire Services - Twitter)
An evacuation order remains in place for the Bunting Lake Wildfire burning near the Mabel Lake Forest Service Road east of Lumby. (Sylvia Wilson photo)

3,000-hectare wildfire closes Mabel Lake service road

Rural Lumby home and cabin owners evacuated Tuesday, July 20

An evacuation order remains in place for the Bunting Lake Wildfire burning near the Mabel Lake Forest Service Road east of Lumby. (Sylvia Wilson photo)
The Needles Ferry and Highway 6 are closed to the public in order to keep evacuation routes open for those who are being ordered to leave due to wildfires. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Needles Ferry and Highway 6 closed east of Cherryville

Public not permitted in order to keep routes clear for wildfire evacuees

The Needles Ferry and Highway 6 are closed to the public in order to keep evacuation routes open for those who are being ordered to leave due to wildfires. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
A truck fire came dangerously close to a home on Okanagan Landing Road Monday morning before firefighters doused the blaze. (BX Dobs photo)

Suspicious truck fire spreads near Vernon

Nearby home spared from blaze, which RCMP are investigating

A truck fire came dangerously close to a home on Okanagan Landing Road Monday morning before firefighters doused the blaze. (BX Dobs photo)
A bear snacks on garbage in Lake Country Sunday, July 18, prompting reminders to keep your garbage locked up so fed bears don't become dead bears. (Bob Vinek photo)

Bear snacks on garbage in Okanagan

Residents reminded that leaving garbage out can lead to a $230 fine

A bear snacks on garbage in Lake Country Sunday, July 18, prompting reminders to keep your garbage locked up so fed bears don't become dead bears. (Bob Vinek photo)
Andrew Frederick spent his COVID-19 time off school cleaning up his neighbourhood Girouard Park, which is being expanded. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star file)

Vernon’s park gets more play space

1.3 acres of land to be added to Harwood area park

Andrew Frederick spent his COVID-19 time off school cleaning up his neighbourhood Girouard Park, which is being expanded. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star file)
The Bunting Road fire burning above a number of cabins on Mabel Lake, where residents remain on evacuation alert. (Randy Smith photo)

UPDATE: Mabel Lake fire near Lumby 600 hectares, evacuation alert remains

No significant changes in Bunting Road blaze reported overnight

The Bunting Road fire burning above a number of cabins on Mabel Lake, where residents remain on evacuation alert. (Randy Smith photo)
The Enderby Fire Department helped put out a suspected arson fire at a woodshed in November 2016. Crown counsel did not approve charges against a 72-year-old suspect and the file has concluded. - Image credit: Morning Star file photo

Campfire and garbage burn sparked in Enderby despite fire ban

Fire chief left shaking his head

The Enderby Fire Department helped put out a suspected arson fire at a woodshed in November 2016. Crown counsel did not approve charges against a 72-year-old suspect and the file has concluded. - Image credit: Morning Star file photo
Emergency repairs are underway at the CN railway trustle near Kal Beach. (Google Maps)

UPDATE: Trestle repairs underway near Vernon, nightly

Traffic affected, work expected to conclude Wednesday

Emergency repairs are underway at the CN railway trustle near Kal Beach. (Google Maps)