B.C. Wildfires 2021

The third lake in Momich Lake Provincial Park where the fire reached the south shoreline and most of the hillsides are burnt. (Jim Cooperman photo)

Column: Surveying the damage from 2021 wildfires at Humamilt and Momich lakes

Shuswap Passion by Jim Cooperman

  • Oct 22, 2022

 

The devastation at the north end of Hunakwa Lake where the trail was slated to go. (Jim Cooperman photo)

Column: After the fire, what is the future for Anstey Hunakwa Provincial Park?

Shuswap Passion by Jim Cooperman

  • Aug 21, 2022

 

fire

One year since the worst wildfire in South Okanagan

Nk’Mip wildfire raged for over a month, forcing evacuations, losses of livestock and some homes

 

The Sparks Lake wildfire shown on June 30, 2021. (BC Wildfire Service photo)

EDITORIAL: Prepare now for future fire seasons

In 2021, wildfires were raging across British Columbia

  • Jul 13, 2022
The Sparks Lake wildfire shown on June 30, 2021. (BC Wildfire Service photo)
Roses blooming at the back of a property on Fraser Street in Lytton. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)

‘Our story has to stay out there or we’ll be forgotten’: Lytton resident

One year after fire nearly wiped out Fraser Canyon town, progress has been slow and painful

Roses blooming at the back of a property on Fraser Street in Lytton. (Photo credit: Barbara Roden)
An artist’s rendering showing proposed multipurpose buildings for a site on Highway 1 at Kanaka Bar to support Lytton residents. (Photo credit: Kanaka Bar/Urban Systems)

Kanaka Bar Indian Band’s housing society to receive $471,000 in federal funds for community hub

Multi-purpose building would provide a temporary service hub for the area devastated by wildfire

An artist’s rendering showing proposed multipurpose buildings for a site on Highway 1 at Kanaka Bar to support Lytton residents. (Photo credit: Kanaka Bar/Urban Systems)
One of the many wildfires that raged in the B.C. Interior in 2021 destroyed all but one home in the Boston Flats mobile home park near Ashcroft.(Photo: Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

Thompson-Okanagan backcountry roads a no-go this summer

Road closures do not impact residents or access for commercial activities

One of the many wildfires that raged in the B.C. Interior in 2021 destroyed all but one home in the Boston Flats mobile home park near Ashcroft.(Photo: Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
Becky Adams has posted a song she wrote about the loss of homes in Lytton on YouTube. She was raised in the small community that was hit by fire on June 30, 2021, and has strong ties to the area still. (YouTube/Becky Adams)

VIDEO: Lytton-raised woman writes song for those who lost their town to devastating fire

Hole in My Heart written and performed by Becky Adams, who has strong connections to Lytton

Becky Adams has posted a song she wrote about the loss of homes in Lytton on YouTube. She was raised in the small community that was hit by fire on June 30, 2021, and has strong ties to the area still. (YouTube/Becky Adams)
Falkland Fire Chief Troy Ricard, second from right, and members of the Falkland Fire Department receive the CSRD's Fire Department of the Year trophy from Sean Coubrough, Fire Services Coordinator, far right. (Contributed)

Falkland department honoured for exceptional firefighting

‘They stayed behind to keep our community safe’

Falkland Fire Chief Troy Ricard, second from right, and members of the Falkland Fire Department receive the CSRD's Fire Department of the Year trophy from Sean Coubrough, Fire Services Coordinator, far right. (Contributed)
Murray Rankin, B.C. minister of indigenouse relations and reconcilitation, announces grants to reduce wildfire risks at the Kalamalka See Orchard Tuesday, April 19. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Grants reduce Okanagan wildfire risks

$3.5 million directed to Kamloops Fire Centre and First Nations

Murray Rankin, B.C. minister of indigenouse relations and reconcilitation, announces grants to reduce wildfire risks at the Kalamalka See Orchard Tuesday, April 19. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Wildland firefighter Sasha Terhoch sprays water on hot spots remaining from a controlled burn the B.C. Wildfire Service conducted to help contain the White Rock Lake wildfire on Okanagan Indian Band land, northwest of Vernon, B.C., on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Finance minister hints at changes to BC Wildfire Service after climate disaster filled year

Selina Robinson made comments one day before B.C. Budget unveiling

Wildland firefighter Sasha Terhoch sprays water on hot spots remaining from a controlled burn the B.C. Wildfire Service conducted to help contain the White Rock Lake wildfire on Okanagan Indian Band land, northwest of Vernon, B.C., on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Damaged structures are seen in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021, after a wildfire destroyed most of the village on June 30. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Rays of hope emerge in rebuild of Lytton months after wildfire destruction

‘Everywhere we lived, it wasn’t home’

Damaged structures are seen in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021, after a wildfire destroyed most of the village on June 30. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Property destroyed by the White Rock Lake wildfire is seen in Monte Lake, east of Kamloops, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Damage from White Rock Lake wildfire could contribute to flooding: report

The White Rock Lake burned over 800-square kilometres

Property destroyed by the White Rock Lake wildfire is seen in Monte Lake, east of Kamloops, B.C., on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
The Village of Lytton on July 9, 2021, one week after a massive wildfire ripped through the town. (Jenna Hauck/Chilliwack Progress)

B.C. funds first steps of Lytton rebuild, restoring village records

Water systems, debris removal and environmental work

The Village of Lytton on July 9, 2021, one week after a massive wildfire ripped through the town. (Jenna Hauck/Chilliwack Progress)
The destruction of the White Rock Lake wildfire was widespread, particularly on Westside Road. (Contributed)

White Rock Lake wildfire recovery shifts into rebuild stage

Those impacted dealing with a number of concerns, from lack of insurance to mental health impacts

The destruction of the White Rock Lake wildfire was widespread, particularly on Westside Road. (Contributed)
Lillooet Secondary School is changing out their mascot, the Wildfire, after several devastating blazes that have affected nearby communities. (Lillooet Secondary School)

Lillooet school extinguishing ‘Wildfire’ mascot due to trauma from nearby forest fires

School says wildfires in Lytton, Elephant Hill led to change

Lillooet Secondary School is changing out their mascot, the Wildfire, after several devastating blazes that have affected nearby communities. (Lillooet Secondary School)
Properties destroyed by the Lytton Creek wildfire on June 30 are seen as a pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, produced by the same fire rises in the mountains above Lytton, B.C., on Sunday, August 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Delays push cost to rebuild fire-damaged Lytton to $102M: insurance bureau

No permits yet issued to rebuild homes or businesses as costs escalate

Properties destroyed by the Lytton Creek wildfire on June 30 are seen as a pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, produced by the same fire rises in the mountains above Lytton, B.C., on Sunday, August 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
An RCMP vehicle drives past the remains of vehicles and structures in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021, after a wildfire destroyed most of the village on June 30. The British Columbia government says it is immediately providing a grant of $1 million to support the Village of Lytton as it recovers from a destructive wildfire last summer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. giving $1 million to wildfire-ravaged Lytton to help with recovery

FIre torched town one day after the temperature there hit an all-time Canadian high of 49.6 Celsius.

An RCMP vehicle drives past the remains of vehicles and structures in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021, after a wildfire destroyed most of the village on June 30. The British Columbia government says it is immediately providing a grant of $1 million to support the Village of Lytton as it recovers from a destructive wildfire last summer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
From left: Steve Giesbrecht, Griffin Weiss, Acura Aryana and Eric VanderKwaak are members of the crews responsible for wildfire mitigation efforts near Sicamous. (FESBC image)

Million-dollar mitigation: ‘Impressive’ Sicamous wildfire prevention work almost done

Grant from Forest Enhancement Society of British Columbia funded project which began in fall 2020

From left: Steve Giesbrecht, Griffin Weiss, Acura Aryana and Eric VanderKwaak are members of the crews responsible for wildfire mitigation efforts near Sicamous. (FESBC image)
The Michaud Creek wildfire as it reaches the boundary of the Kutasewich property. Submitted photo

‘I had to do it’: A Kootenay couple’s fight to save their property from wildfires

The Michaud Creek fire devastated the area surrounding the Kutasewhich family’s Arrow Lakes property

The Michaud Creek wildfire as it reaches the boundary of the Kutasewich property. Submitted photo