bc wildfires

(Phil McLachlan – Western News)

Not much optimism from B.C.’s wildfire risk watchers

Significant lack of rainfall this year has southern Interior communities bracing for a rough season

 

As of noon on June 11, 2021, Category 2 and 3 open burns, as well as fireworks, will be prohibited within the Kamloops Fire Centre. (Contributed)

Ban on open burns, fireworks, announced for Kamloops Fire Centre

Prohibition to take effect throughout Okanagan-Shuswap as of noon on Friday, June 11

  • Jun 4, 2021

 

BC Wildfire Service crew members board a plane Wednesday, May 26 headed to Manitoba to help firefighting efforts in the province. (BC Wildfire Service photo)

BC Wildfire Service deploys 41 firefighters to Manitoba for assistance

“British Columbia has a long history of offering a helping hand to other provinces.”

 

A forest fire burns late into the evening northeast of Prince Albert, Sask., on Monday, May 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kayle Neis

Dry spring can create wildfire trouble for Western Canada: experts

Parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and British Columbia reported either significant drought or record low rainfall between January and April

A forest fire burns late into the evening northeast of Prince Albert, Sask., on Monday, May 17, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kayle Neis
As they carry out a FireSmart assessment in Salmon Arm, firefighters Carmen Guidos and Steve St. Denis show one of the easy-to-rectify fire hazards that can exist for unsuspecting residents. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

Column: Lessons on welcoming a wildfire into your home

The View From Here by Martha Wickett

As they carry out a FireSmart assessment in Salmon Arm, firefighters Carmen Guidos and Steve St. Denis show one of the easy-to-rectify fire hazards that can exist for unsuspecting residents. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
Five properties have been added to the Lake Country fire protection zone, after council moved to expand the local service area Tuesday, May 4, 2021. (Google Maps)

Lake Country expands fire protection zone, covering 5 exposed properties

The properties petitioned to join the local service area after being left out ‘for reasons unknown’

Five properties have been added to the Lake Country fire protection zone, after council moved to expand the local service area Tuesday, May 4, 2021. (Google Maps)
Armstrong-Spallumcheen, BX-Swan Lake and Enderby fire departments tackled a wildfire off of Otter Lake Cross Road April 26, 2021, alongside BC Wildfire Services. (Caitlin Clow - Vernon Morning Star)

WATCH: North Okanagan wildfire considered held; emergency centre deactivated

Fire off Otter Lake Cross Road burned 20 hectares, BC Wildfire says

Armstrong-Spallumcheen, BX-Swan Lake and Enderby fire departments tackled a wildfire off of Otter Lake Cross Road April 26, 2021, alongside BC Wildfire Services. (Caitlin Clow - Vernon Morning Star)
A grass fire that started Thursday, April 22, 2021 in the hills approximately 7 kilometres northeast of Penticton is now under control. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

3 wildfires spark near Penticton in one day

All fires are believed to be human caused

A grass fire that started Thursday, April 22, 2021 in the hills approximately 7 kilometres northeast of Penticton is now under control. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
BC Wildfire Service

Small wildfire ignites in the Shuswap

The blaze is about 10 km east of the Squilax Bridge

BC Wildfire Service
BC Wildfire Service

Small wildfire ignites in the Shuswap

The blaze is about 10 km east of the Squilax Bridge

BC Wildfire Service
BC Wildfire Service file.

So far, fire season in Kamloops region about average

Unseasonably warm temperatures as of late are drying out ground fuel

  • Apr 20, 2021
BC Wildfire Service file.
Left, Elena Bruns (2015 Rapattack Junior recruit/current Rapattack staff) and Leah Nash (2019 Rapattack Junior recruit/current Rapattack staff) in a helicopter on the Eagle Bluff Fire, August 2019. (Kamloops Fire Centre photo)

Salmon Arm students stick with wildfire fighting after junior Rapattack program

Junior Fire Crew program partners with Salmon Arm Secondary, develops students’ love for job

Left, Elena Bruns (2015 Rapattack Junior recruit/current Rapattack staff) and Leah Nash (2019 Rapattack Junior recruit/current Rapattack staff) in a helicopter on the Eagle Bluff Fire, August 2019. (Kamloops Fire Centre photo)
A prescribed burn is being planned southeast of Chase in mid-April. (BC Wildfire Service Photo)

Prescribed burn planned for Neskonlith band land near Chase

Residents should not be alarmed if they see rising smoke between April 12 and 30

A prescribed burn is being planned southeast of Chase in mid-April. (BC Wildfire Service Photo)
A prescribed burn is being planned southeast of Chase in mid-April. (BC Wildfire Service Photo)

Prescribed burn planned for Neskonlith band land near Chase

Residents should not be alarmed if they see rising smoke between April 12 and 30

A prescribed burn is being planned southeast of Chase in mid-April. (BC Wildfire Service Photo)
(BC Wildfire Service file photo)

Wildfire near Merritt grows to 839-hectares

The blaze is located in the area of Quilchena Creek

(BC Wildfire Service file photo)
A blaze west of Chase was at 22 hectares according to the BC Wildfire Service on the morning of Friday, April 2. (BC Wildfire Service image)

Update: Wildfire burning west of Chase not expected to grow

BC Wildfire Service reports blaze at 22 hectares

A blaze west of Chase was at 22 hectares according to the BC Wildfire Service on the morning of Friday, April 2. (BC Wildfire Service image)
A blaze west of Chase was at 22 hectares according to the BC Wildfire Service on the morning of Friday, April 2. (BC Wildfire Service image)

Update: Wildfire burning west of Chase not expected to grow

BC Wildfire Service reports blaze at 22 hectares

A blaze west of Chase was at 22 hectares according to the BC Wildfire Service on the morning of Friday, April 2. (BC Wildfire Service image)
The BC Wildfire Service is already warning people in the Okanagan outdoors to follow safety protocols if having a campfire due to the current dry conditions in the woods. (Contributed)

Okanagan region wildfire season already heating up

BC Wildfire Service offers safety reminders for people outdoors

The BC Wildfire Service is already warning people in the Okanagan outdoors to follow safety protocols if having a campfire due to the current dry conditions in the woods. (Contributed)
Summerland firefighters spent two and a half hours after an abandoned campfire caused damage near the Summerland Research and Development Centre on March 22. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press Media - File)

Summerland firefighters battle difficult blaze sparked by abandoned campfire

Tree caught fire and fell into Trout Creek Canyon during firefighting efforts

Summerland firefighters spent two and a half hours after an abandoned campfire caused damage near the Summerland Research and Development Centre on March 22. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press Media - File)
West Kelowna fire crews snuffed out patches of flame that ignited on the side of Highway 97 near the west side of William R. Bennett Bridge Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Phil McLachlan - Capital News)

UPDATE: Three grass fires in one day keep Central Okanagan fire crews busy

Two grass fires in West Kelowna, and one in Kelowna on Saturday, March 20

West Kelowna fire crews snuffed out patches of flame that ignited on the side of Highway 97 near the west side of William R. Bennett Bridge Saturday, March 20, 2021. (Phil McLachlan - Capital News)