B.C. Wildfires 2021

A BCWS helicopter flies against the black smoke of a new wildfire on Westside Road in the Central Okanagan. (Aaron Hemens photo)

B.C. wildfires ‘trending in the right direction’ thanks to cooler weather

246 wildfires are burning in B.C. as of August 24

A BCWS helicopter flies against the black smoke of a new wildfire on Westside Road in the Central Okanagan. (Aaron Hemens photo)
A wildfire burns in the mountains above Lytton, B.C., on July 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Impact of fires on wildlife needs study as blazes get bigger and hotter, says expert

Scientists are most worried about old-growth forests in fire areas

A wildfire burns in the mountains above Lytton, B.C., on July 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A wildfire burns in the mountains above Lytton, B.C., on July 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Number of wildfires burning in B.C. down slightly from a week ago

More than 8,600 square kilometres of land has been scorched since April 1

A wildfire burns in the mountains above Lytton, B.C., on July 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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)
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
An evacuation order near Barnes Lake, issued due to the Tremont Creek wildfire on July 14, has been rescinded to an evacuation alert as of Aug. 20.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)
Ayden McKillop in the shirt he designed in support of the Osoyoos fire department (Junction 3 Coffeehouse/Facebook)

Osoyoos boy sells homemade shirts in support of wildfire crews

The shirts will be sold on Saturday (Aug. 21) at Junction 3 Coffeehouse

Ayden McKillop in the shirt he designed in support of the Osoyoos fire department (Junction 3 Coffeehouse/Facebook)
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)
Hospital Transfer crews move patients around while sorting out constantly changing logistics during wildfire season. (Submitted)

Abbotsford-based hospital transfer company battles ever-changing wildfire situation

Weather, fires, road closures and more didn’t deter crew from safely transporting patients

Hospital Transfer crews move patients around while sorting out constantly changing logistics during wildfire season. (Submitted)
B.C. Wildfire Service crews battle a fire close to Mt. Hayes near Ladysmith. (Photo submitted)

2021 B.C.’s 3rd worst fire season on record for total area burned

Over 858,292 hectares of land have been burned by 1,530 wildfires so far this year

B.C. Wildfire Service crews battle a fire close to Mt. Hayes near Ladysmith. (Photo submitted)
Downtown Kelowna waterfront, looking north toward the White Rock Lake fire on Aug. 15, 2021. (Michael Rodriguez/Kelowna Capital News)

West Kelowna resort refuses refund to wildfire, COVID cautious tourist

Province has discouraged travel to the Central Okanagan amid surging COVID, raging fires

Downtown Kelowna waterfront, looking north toward the White Rock Lake fire on Aug. 15, 2021. (Michael Rodriguez/Kelowna Capital News)
Brentt Call, a firefighters with Utah Taskforce One, walks through a burned over area of the Bootleg Fire east of Klamath Falls as crews work to stop the largest wildfire in the United States so far this season. The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry celebrated the regiment’s 107th birthday fighting the Thomas Creek fire on Aug. 10. (BC Wildfire)

Fatigue setting in for fire crews battling B.C. infernos as 258 blazes burn

B.C. Wildfire Service says it’s seeing an increase in safety issues due to fatigue

Brentt Call, a firefighters with Utah Taskforce One, walks through a burned over area of the Bootleg Fire east of Klamath Falls as crews work to stop the largest wildfire in the United States so far this season. The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry celebrated the regiment’s 107th birthday fighting the Thomas Creek fire on Aug. 10. (BC Wildfire)
Three of six wildfires still burning on the north side of Harrison Lake are under control as of Thursday (Aug. 19). (Screenshot/BCWS)

Long Island wildfire in Harrison area now under control

The fire is holding at 256 hectares, no more evacuation order

Three of six wildfires still burning on the north side of Harrison Lake are under control as of Thursday (Aug. 19). (Screenshot/BCWS)
Firefighters cuddle puppies in West Kelowna. (Facebook)

Taking a break from West Kelowna wildfire for some puppy therapy

Firefighters battling the West Kelowna blaze were treated to puppy cuddles on Monday

Firefighters cuddle puppies in West Kelowna. (Facebook)
Smoke from a controlled burn in a portion of the Lytton Creek fire east of Spences Bridge on Aug. 3. (Photo credit: Dwayne Rourke)

VIDEO: After helping hundreds fleeing wildfires, Merritt faces evacuations of its own

United Way helps with Nicola Valley Food Bank in Merritt

Smoke from a controlled burn in a portion of the Lytton Creek fire east of Spences Bridge on Aug. 3. (Photo credit: Dwayne Rourke)
Wildfire in Lytton, B.C., seen on June 30, 2021. (@guyatsfu/Twitter)

Lawsuit claims CN and CP railways at fault for sparking fire that wiped out Lytton

B.C. Supreme Court statement alleges fire was set off by heat or sparks emanating from freight train

Wildfire in Lytton, B.C., seen on June 30, 2021. (@guyatsfu/Twitter)
The evacuation order for all of Long Island has been cancelled, per the Fraser Valley Regional District. (Screenshot/Alertable)

Evacuation order for Long Island cancelled

Order lasted for 11 days

The evacuation order for all of Long Island has been cancelled, per the Fraser Valley Regional District. (Screenshot/Alertable)
Spallumcheen on Stepping Stones Crescent in August 2021. That’s directly across Okanagan lake to the OKIB Reservation. (Paul Anderson/Contributed to Black Press Media)

PHOTOS: 825,000 hectares have burned as wildfires rage across B.C.’s Interior

‘It doesn’t solve the problem, but it helps’ said one official about the latest bit of rain

Spallumcheen on Stepping Stones Crescent in August 2021. That’s directly across Okanagan lake to the OKIB Reservation. (Paul Anderson/Contributed to Black Press Media)
Jason Satterthwaite and his 16-year-old son, Aiden, fought on the frontlines of the White Rock Lake wildfire together for the Okanagan Indian Band Fire Department. (Jason Satterthwaite - Facebook)

Father, son battle White Rock Lake wildfire for Okanagan Indian Band

‘He is the bravest young man I know,’ former North Westside fire chief says of 16-year-old son

Jason Satterthwaite and his 16-year-old son, Aiden, fought on the frontlines of the White Rock Lake wildfire together for the Okanagan Indian Band Fire Department. (Jason Satterthwaite - Facebook)
Highway 5 at Othello, about 11 km east of Hope. (DriveBC)

Coquihalla reopens to essential travel only, no stopping

Highway 5 is now open after wildfires forced a closure on Sunday

Highway 5 at Othello, about 11 km east of Hope. (DriveBC)