City of West Kelowna

Fintry resident Rick Walker and Elsa check in at the Emergency Support Services reception centre at Vernon's Kal Tire Place Friday after being evacuated. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

More than 800 Central Okanagan wildfire evacuees in Vernon

Residents displaced by blazes welcomed and supported in last 4 days

Fintry resident Rick Walker and Elsa check in at the Emergency Support Services reception centre at Vernon's Kal Tire Place Friday after being evacuated. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
A screengrab from aerial footage over McNaughton Road in West Kelowna after the McDougall Creek wildfire swept through. The circled area is where the MacKay’s rental home was located. (contributed)

‘Laugh and cry and repeat’: West Kelowna woman’s motto after losing home in wildfire

Over 50 structures have been confirmed lost, damaged from the McDougall Creek fire

  • Aug 21, 2023
A screengrab from aerial footage over McNaughton Road in West Kelowna after the McDougall Creek wildfire swept through. The circled area is where the MacKay’s rental home was located. (contributed)
The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home, in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Nearly 60 structures confirmed lost or damaged in Central Okanagan wildfires

‘Thank the firefighters that are out there kicking ass’

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home, in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Road block at John Hindle Drive and Academy Way in Kelowna due to Walroy Lake wildfire, Aug. 20, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Captial News)

No growth in Kelowna wildfire, but air quality hazardous

The Walroy Lake wildfire is still out of control but remains at an estimated 769 hectares

Road block at John Hindle Drive and Academy Way in Kelowna due to Walroy Lake wildfire, Aug. 20, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Captial News)
The McDougall Creek wildfire started to burn and take down structures in West Kelowna on Thursday night, Aug. 17. (Joanne Zebroff/Facebook)

McDougall Creek wildfire: More evacuation orders rescinded in West Kelowna

Sixty firefighters worked through the night to protect structures in West Kelowna

The McDougall Creek wildfire started to burn and take down structures in West Kelowna on Thursday night, Aug. 17. (Joanne Zebroff/Facebook)
(The Broken Rail Ranch/Instagram)

West Kelowna ranch heart ‘broken’ after losing property, beloved pig to fire

McDougall Creek firefighters gave Pumba their granola bars and love until her family could return

(The Broken Rail Ranch/Instagram)
Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

500 firefighters battling devastating Kelowna blazes; conditions turning corner

All three wildfires in the Central Okanagan are now a Grouse Complex

Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
The Walroy Lake wildfire in the Glenmore/Wilden area of Kelowna around 8:45 p.m. on Friday night, Aug. 18. (Debbie Payne/Facebook)

No change seen throughout the night to Kelowna wildfire

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Walroy Lake wildfire remains at 769 hectares

The Walroy Lake wildfire in the Glenmore/Wilden area of Kelowna around 8:45 p.m. on Friday night, Aug. 18. (Debbie Payne/Facebook)
The Walroy Lake wildfire in the Glenmore/Wilden area of Kelowna around 8:45 p.m. on Friday night, Aug. 18. (Debbie Payne/Facebook)

UPDATE: UBCO, Quail Ridge area of Kelowna no longer on evacuation order

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Walroy Lake wildfire remains at 769 hectares

The Walroy Lake wildfire in the Glenmore/Wilden area of Kelowna around 8:45 p.m. on Friday night, Aug. 18. (Debbie Payne/Facebook)
The McDougall Creek wildfire continues to burn in West Kelowna, standing at 11,000 hectares. (Jason Pettyjohn/Facebook)

West Kelowna suspends recreational services due to McDougall Creek wildfire

The blaze remains at an estimated 11,000 hectares in size

The McDougall Creek wildfire continues to burn in West Kelowna, standing at 11,000 hectares. (Jason Pettyjohn/Facebook)
Wildfire evacuees at the reception centre at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna on Aug. 19, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

Central Okanagan fire evacuees say support system too slow

Kelowna West MLA said the Royal LePage volunteers are assisting about 400 people per day

  • Aug 19, 2023
Wildfire evacuees at the reception centre at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna on Aug. 19, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
RCMP on scene of fires in Okanagan. (RCMP)

RCMP from around B.C. mobilize in Okanagan amid wildfires

Officers from BC Highway Patrol, Indigenous Policing Services, Tactical Troop and other specialized units

RCMP on scene of fires in Okanagan. (RCMP)
RCMP officers meet at a roadblock after evacuating the Wilden neighbourhood near Knox Mountain due to a wildfire burning above homes, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Kelowna RCMP stop duo who forced their way behind fire line

Additional officers arrived in the Central Okanagan Saturday

RCMP officers meet at a roadblock after evacuating the Wilden neighbourhood near Knox Mountain due to a wildfire burning above homes, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Joanne Zebroff captured this image of the Kelowna wildfire in Clifton/McKinley on Aug. 18, 2023. (Facebook)

Community leaders urge calm and patience as crews battle Okanagan wildfires

‘We have been here before, and we got through it together’

Joanne Zebroff captured this image of the Kelowna wildfire in Clifton/McKinley on Aug. 18, 2023. (Facebook)
Vernon Search and Rescue continues to help with evacuations in the Shuswap and Central Okanagan Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (VSAR photo)

Vernon Search and Rescue busy helping wildfire evacuees

VSAR boat, ground and bike crews have been assisting in West Kelowna, Lake Country and the Shuswap

Vernon Search and Rescue continues to help with evacuations in the Shuswap and Central Okanagan Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (VSAR photo)
The McDougall Creek wildfire on August 17, 2023, from Kelowna, B.C. (Contributed to Black Press Media)

UPDATE: Cool weather but smoky skies warning across Okanagan

Air quality statement still in effect due to wildfire smoke

The McDougall Creek wildfire on August 17, 2023, from Kelowna, B.C. (Contributed to Black Press Media)
RCMP officers meet at a roadblock after evacuating the Wilden neighbourhood near Knox Mountain due to a wildfire burning above homes, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna grows to 11,000 hectares

McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna now 10,500 hectares

RCMP officers meet at a roadblock after evacuating the Wilden neighbourhood near Knox Mountain due to a wildfire burning above homes, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Emergency Management Minister Harjit Sajjan speaks during press conference in Ottawa on July 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Feds offering ‘full support’ for Okanagan fires: Sajjan

Emergency management minister says more work needs to be done on prevention, adaptation

Emergency Management Minister Harjit Sajjan speaks during press conference in Ottawa on July 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Shawn Talbot captured this photo of the fire above West Kelowna on Aug. 17.
Shawn Talbot captured this photo of the fire above West Kelowna on Aug. 17.
(Roma Beaudoin)

‘Situation is worsening’: West Kelowna Fire Chief says to prepare for more evacuations

West Kelowna Fire Chief, Jason Brolund is asking people under evacuation orders to leave immediately

(Roma Beaudoin)