B.C. Wildfires 2021

The residence of Matthew Heneghan, who lives in Falkland with his family, was one of those evacuated in early August 2021 due to the growth of the White Rock Lake wildfire. (Photo contributed)

Falkland evacuee from White Rock Lake wildfire finds solace in gratitude

Man who grew up in Salmon Arm expresses thanks to all those who contribute to keeping people safe

The residence of Matthew Heneghan, who lives in Falkland with his family, was one of those evacuated in early August 2021 due to the growth of the White Rock Lake wildfire. (Photo contributed)
Australian crews are helping in the Thomas Creek fire.

South Okanagan wildfires benefiting from rain, cooler weather

BC Wildfire will re-evaluate evacuation orders for Mount Baldy area

Australian crews are helping in the Thomas Creek fire.
A map issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District shows areas on evacuation order (red), alert (yellow), and all clear (green) as of Aug. 22. (Photo credit: TNRD)

Interior B.C. fires show little activity as cooler temperatures, precipitation bring relief

Several evacuation orders and alerts have been downgraded, with more expected in coming days

A map issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District shows areas on evacuation order (red), alert (yellow), and all clear (green) as of Aug. 22. (Photo credit: TNRD)
Cooler temperatures and rain, with more in the forecast, have helped a bit with suppression efforts on the White Rock Lake wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service photo)

Crews’ efforts helped slightly by Mother Nature on White Rock Lake wildfire

Some areas get rain, others do not as firefighters continue to battle ‘the beast’

Cooler temperatures and rain, with more in the forecast, have helped a bit with suppression efforts on the White Rock Lake wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service photo)
The Mount Law wildfire seen from downtown Kelowna on Sunday, Aug. 15, just hours after the fire was first spotted. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

UPDATE: Four properties downgraded from evacuation order to alert at Mount Law fire

Residents are reminded to be ready to leave their home at a moment’s notice

The Mount Law wildfire seen from downtown Kelowna on Sunday, Aug. 15, just hours after the fire was first spotted. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
The White Rock Lake wildfire burns west of Vernon, B.C., Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. The Kamloops region continues to see the majority of blazes, with the White Rock Lake fire continuing to burn out of control. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Cooler temperatures offer slight relief for B.C. wildfire crews

Kamloops region continues to see the majority of blazes, with White Rock Lake fire burning out of control

The White Rock Lake wildfire burns west of Vernon, B.C., Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. The Kamloops region continues to see the majority of blazes, with the White Rock Lake fire continuing to burn out of control. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Sicamous Fire Chief Brett Ogino (in blue) is proud of the progress made fighting the Two Mile Road wildfire near Sicamous. (Sicamous Fire Department photo)

‘We’re really starting to get a handle on some of these fires’: Sicamous Fire Chief

Brett Ogino says it’s important for media to focus on victories as well as losses

Sicamous Fire Chief Brett Ogino (in blue) is proud of the progress made fighting the Two Mile Road wildfire near Sicamous. (Sicamous Fire Department photo)
An aerial image of the Hunakwa Lake fire, taken when the community of Seymour Arm was under an evacuation alert. (Shuswap Emergency Program photo)

Hunakwa Lake wildfire no longer considered threat to public safety

The fire will be taken off the BC Wildfire Service’s fires of note page on Aug. 22

An aerial image of the Hunakwa Lake fire, taken when the community of Seymour Arm was under an evacuation alert. (Shuswap Emergency Program photo)
Sicamous community members and visitors came together to support the Sicamous Fire Department at an impromptu Aug. 7 outdoor music event held at Bruhn Crossing. On Aug. 20, Brenda Dalzell (right) presented a large-format cheque to Sicamous Fire Chief Brett Ogino on behalf of Sicamous residents and visitors. (Zachary Roman/Eagle Valley News)

Night of live music in Sicamous supports local fire department

On Aug. 7, Sicamous community members and visitors came to Bruhn Crossing in support of fire crews

Sicamous community members and visitors came together to support the Sicamous Fire Department at an impromptu Aug. 7 outdoor music event held at Bruhn Crossing. On Aug. 20, Brenda Dalzell (right) presented a large-format cheque to Sicamous Fire Chief Brett Ogino on behalf of Sicamous residents and visitors. (Zachary Roman/Eagle Valley News)
The White Rock Lake fire as seen from 50th Parallel Winery in Lake Country at 5 a.m. on Aug. 16. (Jessie Ballard photo)

Rain eases some fire activity at White Rock Lake wildfire

However, the fire’s northeast, east and southeast flanks have seen increased fire behaviour throughout the week

The White Rock Lake fire as seen from 50th Parallel Winery in Lake Country at 5 a.m. on Aug. 16. (Jessie Ballard photo)
The Mount Law wildfire seen from downtown Kelowna on Sunday, Aug. 15, just hours after the fire was first spotted. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

UPDATE: Area restriction order in place for Mount Law wildfire

The order will remain in place until noon on Oct. 15, or until it’s rescinded

The Mount Law wildfire seen from downtown Kelowna on Sunday, Aug. 15, just hours after the fire was first spotted. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
Smoke from the Mt. Law fire near Peachland. (Michael Rodriguez/Capital News)
Smoke from the Mt. Law fire near Peachland. (Michael Rodriguez/Capital News)
West Kelowna mayor Gord Milsom thanks firefighting crews and volunteers for their efforts in saving Glenrosa during the Mount Law wildfire. (Capital News)

West Kelowna mayor thanks crews, volunteers for work on Mount Law wildfire

Some evacuees have now been able to return home thanks to crews’ hardwork

West Kelowna mayor Gord Milsom thanks firefighting crews and volunteers for their efforts in saving Glenrosa during the Mount Law wildfire. (Capital News)
An evacuation order was rescinded an and alert issued due to the Momich lake wildfire on Aug. 20, 2021. (Shuswap Emergency Program image)

Evacuation order rescinded, alert issued in North Shuswap due to Momich Lake wildfire

Evacuation alert is for the area near Humamilt Lake West Provincial Recreation Site

An evacuation order was rescinded an and alert issued due to the Momich lake wildfire on Aug. 20, 2021. (Shuswap Emergency Program image)
The White Rock Lake fire as seen from 50th Parallel Winery in Lake Country at 5 a.m. on Aug. 16. (Jessie Ballard photo)

Okanagan West rural director calls for intensified wildfire mitigation efforts

Wayne Carson advocates for proactive rather than reactive response to wildfires

The White Rock Lake fire as seen from 50th Parallel Winery in Lake Country at 5 a.m. on Aug. 16. (Jessie Ballard photo)
An evacuation order near Barnes Lake, issued due to the Tremont Creek wildfire on July 14, has been rescinded to an evacuation alert as of Aug. 20. (Photo credit: TNRD)

Some evacuation orders downgraded to alerts for Tremont Creek and Lytton Creek fires

Two properties near Barnes Lake, and 656 in Lower Nicola, now on alert instead of order

An evacuation order near Barnes Lake, issued due to the Tremont Creek wildfire on July 14, has been rescinded to an evacuation alert as of Aug. 20. (Photo credit: TNRD)
A powerful statement is made at the site of the White Rock Lake wildfire near Monte Lake. (Tony Butler photo)

PHOTOS: Devastation captured from White Rock Lake wildfire

At least 85 homes, and counting, destroyed by blaze near Vernon, West Kelowna, Falkland, Monte Lake

A powerful statement is made at the site of the White Rock Lake wildfire near Monte Lake. (Tony Butler photo)
Jason Satterthwaite and his 16-year-old son, Aiden, fought on the frontlines of the White Rock Lake wildfire together for the Okanahan Indian Band Fire Department. (Jason Satterthwaite - Facebook)

syilx family explains how wildfire impacts their ceremonies

The white Rock Lake fire has spread over 81,000 hectares in the Okanagan

Jason Satterthwaite and his 16-year-old son, Aiden, fought on the frontlines of the White Rock Lake wildfire together for the Okanahan Indian Band Fire Department. (Jason Satterthwaite - Facebook)
An evacuation order was rescinded and an alert issued for the communities of Queest and Pete Martin Bay on Aug. 20, 2021. (Shuswap Emergency Program image)

Evacuation order rescinded, alert issued for communities north of Sicamous

The alert is in place due to the Crazy Creek Gorge wildfire

An evacuation order was rescinded and an alert issued for the communities of Queest and Pete Martin Bay on Aug. 20, 2021. (Shuswap Emergency Program image)
The Okanagan Mountain Park fire of 2003. (Capital News file)

Lessons learned from Kelowna’s infamous 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park wildfire

Evacuees, officials of 2003 blaze lay out what lies ahead for those who lost their homes this year

The Okanagan Mountain Park fire of 2003. (Capital News file)
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