Wednesday, August 5, 2026
ADVT 
National

'Devastation': Chief says about 230 homes destroyed by B.C. wildfire

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 04 Aug, 2026 10:48 AM
  • 'Devastation': Chief says about 230 homes destroyed by B.C. wildfire

The chief of the Okanagan Indian Band says about 230 homes have been destroyed by a raging wildfire near Vernon, B.C.

Dan Wilson says 30 band homes and 200 non-band homes have been destroyed by the Bradley Creek fire.

He says the area "looked like a war zone" when he took a helicopter tour of the devastation and it was difficult to recognize the community.

Wilson says the wildfire has been one of the most devastating events in the band's history. 

The chief says the situation is "surreal" and the destruction is just sinking in.

The fire started late Friday and was fanned by winds gusting up to 115 kilometres per hour, giving some residents as little as five minutes to get out of their homes. 

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

MORE National ARTICLES

National Service Launched to Support Sexual Violence Survivors

National Service Launched to Support Sexual Violence Survivors
BOLT Safety Society has launched a Canada-wide Sexual Violence and Domestic Abuse Referral Program.

National Service Launched to Support Sexual Violence Survivors

Carney pushes back on calls to use energy as leverage in U.S. trade talks

Carney pushes back on calls to use energy as leverage in U.S. trade talks
Prime Minister Mark Carney suggested Wednesday that Canada's reputation as a reliable supplier could take a hit if it started using energy exports as leverage in trade talks with the United States.

Carney pushes back on calls to use energy as leverage in U.S. trade talks

Carney says government has 'taken back control' of immigration

Carney says government has 'taken back control' of immigration
Prime Minister Mark Carney says his government has "taken back control" of immigration. The prime minister made the remarks at a press conference in Red Deer, Alta., on Wednesday, after being asked about an upcoming referendum that will ask Albertans how they want the province to deal with immigration.

Carney says government has 'taken back control' of immigration

Liberals block hearings on Gordie Howe bridge deal as government MP admits confusion

Liberals block hearings on Gordie Howe bridge deal as government MP admits confusion
Liberal MPs have blocked parliamentary hearings aimed at clarifying what the Carney government promised U.S. President Donald Trump to get the Gordie Howe International Bridge opened.

Liberals block hearings on Gordie Howe bridge deal as government MP admits confusion

Carney comes to Alberta, talks housing, rides a sprayer, hears from separatists

Carney comes to Alberta, talks housing, rides a sprayer, hears from separatists
Prime Minister Mark Carney came to the Alberta heartland Wednesday to announce housing money, sit shotgun on a canola sprayer and catch an earful — at a distance — from flag-waving separatists.

Carney comes to Alberta, talks housing, rides a sprayer, hears from separatists

WestJet flight attendants' union serves airline 72-hour strike notice

WestJet flight attendants' union serves airline 72-hour strike notice
Intense bargaining between WestJet and the union representing its flight attendants ratcheted up further on Thursday after CUPE issued a 72-hour strike notice, paving the runway for a possible airline shutdown during the busy summer travel season.

WestJet flight attendants' union serves airline 72-hour strike notice