Big News

Skwlax te Secwepemculecw communication coordinator Larry Read said Saturday (Aug. 26) the Quaaout Lodge buildings were not damaged in the Bush Creek East wildfire. (Google Earth)

Shuswap Indigenous band loses 85 structures to Bush Creek wildfire

Skwlax te Secwepemculecw shares numbers after ‘traumatic week’

Capt. Jennifer Hansen of the Westside Salvation Army poses for a photo in West Kelowna, B.C. on Friday, August 25, 2023. Hansen says she’s been part of a team that has been providing more than 1,000 meals a day at the height of the wildfire. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner

Salvation Army leader supports Kelowna-area fire fight with free meals

Officials have estimated more than 170 structures were lost in the blaze

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

The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire remains at 1,830 hectares on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 26. (BC Wildfire Services)

Twin Lakes wildfire still 1,830 hectares as crews work under favourable conditions

Dedicated helicopter to be in area late Saturday to collect ‘timely’ data on fire’s growth

The Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire remains at 1,830 hectares on Saturday afternoon, Aug. 26. (BC Wildfire Services)
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)
The map shows areas that remain under evacuation order in the Skimikin area in the Shuswap, sent in an update to the Alertable app Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (CSRd Shuswap Emergencuy Program image)

Updated alert says Skimikin area in Shuswap remains under evacuation order

Consolidated alert messages may be sent to streamline information; residents urged to read carefully

The map shows areas that remain under evacuation order in the Skimikin area in the Shuswap, sent in an update to the Alertable app Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (CSRd Shuswap Emergencuy Program image)
Two structure protection crew members at Scotch Creek on Aug. 24, 2023. (CSRD photo)

UPDATE: New evacuation alert issued in Shuswap, Skimikin evacuation order ends

Fire behaviour expected to increase with warmer temperatures on the way

Two structure protection crew members at Scotch Creek on Aug. 24, 2023. (CSRD photo)
The map shows DriveBC’s alert of damage to the bridge between Holding Road and Loakin Bear Road, closing the road to traffic. (DriveBC)

Bridge damage near Chase closes road to traffic

DriveBC update states road closed between Holding Road and Loakin Bear Road

The map shows DriveBC’s alert of damage to the bridge between Holding Road and Loakin Bear Road, closing the road to traffic. (DriveBC)
The map shows seven small fires burning around the Shuswap area, discovered Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (BCWS map)

UPDATE: More small fires crop up in Shuswap area

All 7 discovered Saturday are classified as out of control

The map shows seven small fires burning around the Shuswap area, discovered Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023. (BCWS map)
The Crater Creek wildfire continues to burn outside Keremeos. (BC Wildfire Services)

Crater Creek wildfire near Keremeos sees no growth; evacuation orders still in place

The 44,000-hectare blaze is burning out of control 18 kilometres southwest of Keremeos

The Crater Creek wildfire continues to burn outside Keremeos. (BC Wildfire Services)
Image of the Bush Creek East wildfire. (Cory Erlandson)

Canada Task Force 1 arrives in Shuswap to assess fire-damaged homes

The search and rescue team will provide an ‘initial understanding’ of the impacted homes’ state

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

Evacuation orders not expected to be lifted Friday evening in Central Okanagan

The region’s emergency centre will provide more information Saturday at 10 a.m.

The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the McDougall Creek wildfire in the Central Okanagan Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (BC Wildfire photo)
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)
Two new fires were discovered northwest of Seymour Arm on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (BCWS image)

Two new wildfires burning in the Shuswap northwest of Seymour Arm

Both blazes believed to have been caused by lightning

Two new fires were discovered northwest of Seymour Arm on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (BCWS image)
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)
Evacuation orders have been downgraded in the Shuswap Friday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2023. (CSRD photo)

Evacuation order lifted for Sorrento, Little River area of Shuswap

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)
CSRD firefighters working in Scotch Creek. (CSRD photo)

Supplies going to North Shuswap, BCWS crews continue to work in priority areas

Anticipated increasing temperatures a concern

CSRD firefighters working in Scotch Creek. (CSRD photo)
A sign placed along Highway 1 at the 5th Street SW intersection urges support for the North Shuswap. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

North Shuswap citizens receive BCWS fire training, need garbage bins

Without power since Aug. 18, locals now dealing with rotting food

A sign placed along Highway 1 at the 5th Street SW intersection urges support for the North Shuswap. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
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)