Okanagan

Wildfire damage of homes on the West Kelowna hillside overlooking Okanagan Lake became more widely apparent when the smoke from the Grouse Complex wildfires lifted from the valley on Wednesday. (File photo)

Okanagan wildfires add stress to house insurance sector

Central Okanagan homeowners scramble to assess insurance coverage

Wildfire damage of homes on the West Kelowna hillside overlooking Okanagan Lake became more widely apparent when the smoke from the Grouse Complex wildfires lifted from the valley on Wednesday. (File photo)
Wildfire helicopter flies over Okanagan Lake, fighting fires in the region Saturday, Aug. 26. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

North Westside’s Fintry and La Casa evacuation orders lifted

Fire chief announces orders moved to alert, south Westside Road remains closed

Wildfire helicopter flies over Okanagan Lake, fighting fires in the region Saturday, Aug. 26. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
The Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country continues to burn into Tuesday, Aug. 22, remaining at 360 hectares. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

No change seen in Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country

The fire remains held at 360 hectares

The Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country continues to burn into Tuesday, Aug. 22, remaining at 360 hectares. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
Devastating from a burn home caused by the Walroy Lake wildfire in Kelowna, Aug. 24, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

Minimal weekend growth for Walroy Lake wildfire in north Kelowna

The temperature is expected to reach 32C on Aug. 28, which may cause fire activity to increase

Devastating from a burn home caused by the Walroy Lake wildfire in Kelowna, Aug. 24, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
Planned ignition work on the McDougall Creek wildfire, near West Kelowna. (BC Wildfire Service)

UPDATE: Rest of West Kelowna’s Smith Creek allowed to head home

Protecting properties continues to be a priority for fire crews on Aug. 28

Planned ignition work on the McDougall Creek wildfire, near West Kelowna. (BC Wildfire Service)
The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire remains at 1,830 hectares. (BC Wildfire Services)

No change to Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire burning near Keremeos

The fire remains at 1,830 hectares

The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire remains at 1,830 hectares. (BC Wildfire Services)
Planned ignition work on the McDougall Creek wildfire, near West Kelowna. (BC Wildfire Service)

UPDATE: West Kelowna wildfire remains out of control at 12,635 hectares

Protecting properties continues to be a priority for fire crews on Aug. 28

Planned ignition work on the McDougall Creek wildfire, near West Kelowna. (BC Wildfire Service)
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)
A total of 186 residents were evacuated from Village at Smith Creek in West Kelowna due to the McDougall Creek wildfire. Interior Health does not have a concrete timeline on when the residents will return home as of Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (Village at Smith Creek)

Unclear when Okanagan seniors evacuated from wildfire zones will return home: Interior Health

Close to 900 seniors have been relocated; health authority evaluating a number of factors for return home

A total of 186 residents were evacuated from Village at Smith Creek in West Kelowna due to the McDougall Creek wildfire. Interior Health does not have a concrete timeline on when the residents will return home as of Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (Village at Smith Creek)
The Crater Creek wildfire overnight, Saturday, Aug. 19. (Black Press Media)

Evacuation alerts ended for properties affected by Crater Creek wildfire near Keremeos

Includes properties on Lower Similkameen I.R No. 10

The Crater Creek wildfire overnight, Saturday, Aug. 19. (Black Press Media)
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 fire in North Westside

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 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 fire in North Westside

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)
Wildfire smoke continues to fill the air, as seen over Okanagan Lake from Vernon Friday, Aug. 25. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Wildfires drive back smoky skies for Okanagan

Air quality advisory for many regions across B.C.

Wildfire smoke continues to fill the air, as seen over Okanagan Lake from Vernon Friday, Aug. 25. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Many properties across the Central Okanagan remain on either evacuation order or alert as wildfire crews continue to attack the Grouse Complex of fires. (BC Wildfire Services)

More than 4,000 properties remain on evacuation order across Central Okanagan

An additional 13,773 properties remain on evacuation alert amid region-wide wildfires

Many properties across the Central Okanagan remain on either evacuation order or alert as wildfire crews continue to attack the Grouse Complex of fires. (BC Wildfire Services)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau answers questions at a news conference during his visit to West Kelowna last Friday, Aug. 25. (Gary Barnes/Capital News)

‘Pulling together in terrifying times’: Trudeau visits wildfire impacted Okanagan

Trudeau meets with city, regional officials and firefighters in West Kelowna.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau answers questions at a news conference during his visit to West Kelowna last Friday, Aug. 25. (Gary Barnes/Capital News)
Helicopters attack the Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire on Friday, Aug. 18, hours after it erupted. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)

UPDATE: Crews ‘making good progress’ as Twin Lakes wildfire sees no growth

The fire is still listed as out of control and is an estimated 1,830 hectares in size

Helicopters attack the Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire on Friday, Aug. 18, hours after it erupted. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)
The Crater Creek wildfire south of Keremeos is an estimated 44,000 hectares in size. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)

Cathedral Lake Lodge confirmed safe as crews continue to battle wildfire southwest of Keremeos

The blaze remains at 44,000 hectares

The Crater Creek wildfire south of Keremeos is an estimated 44,000 hectares in size. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)
North Shuswap resident Jody Evans attempts to control a spot fire left in the wake of the Bush Creek East wildfire that spread through the area Friday night, Aug. 18, 2023. (Angela Lagore photo)

Reinforcements to arrive, Highway 1 to re-open as Shuswap wildfire continues to rage

All evacuation orders and alerts remain the same

North Shuswap resident Jody Evans attempts to control a spot fire left in the wake of the Bush Creek East wildfire that spread through the area Friday night, Aug. 18, 2023. (Angela Lagore photo)
A helicopter flies over Okanagan Lake Tuesday morning (Aug. 22) to assess the Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

More Lake Country residents heading home as Clarke Creek wildfire is held

The fire reached 370 hectares in size

A helicopter flies over Okanagan Lake Tuesday morning (Aug. 22) to assess the Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)