Sunday, August 9, 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

More Canadians now report being affected by extreme weather, poll suggests

More Canadians now report being affected by extreme weather, poll suggests
The number of Canadians reporting having been directly affected by extreme weather events has increased since a year ago, a new poll suggests.

More Canadians now report being affected by extreme weather, poll suggests

StatCan estimates population edged lower in the first quarter of 2026

StatCan estimates population edged lower in the first quarter of 2026
Statistics Canada estimates the population edged down 0.1 per cent in the first quarter of this year as the number of non-permanent residents dropped.

StatCan estimates population edged lower in the first quarter of 2026

Vancouver bars rush beer and staff to the front line of World Cup's war on thirst

Vancouver bars rush beer and staff to the front line of World Cup's war on thirst
Vancouver's Tyler Broers said he's never seen anything like what unfolded on Saturday. Australian World Cup fans filled his multi-level sports bar, Dublin Calling, before and after their team's match against Turkey, and nearly drank the bar dry. 

Vancouver bars rush beer and staff to the front line of World Cup's war on thirst

Carney offers Canada's help to implement Iran-U.S. deal as G7 summit ends

Carney offers Canada's help to implement Iran-U.S. deal as G7 summit ends
Canada will do what it can to help implement the peace deal between the United States and Iran, including possibly helping as a third-party moderator overseeing how funds are used to end the war Washington started alongside Israel.

Carney offers Canada's help to implement Iran-U.S. deal as G7 summit ends

U.S. Homeland Security secretary calls out 'fracturing' relationship with Canada

U.S. Homeland Security secretary calls out 'fracturing' relationship with Canada
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin says the "fracturing" relationship between Canada and the United States needs to be restored to ensure security in both countries.

U.S. Homeland Security secretary calls out 'fracturing' relationship with Canada

Man arrested for attempted child abduction in Surrey, B.C.

Man arrested for attempted child abduction in Surrey, B.C.
A 22-year-old man is facing criminal charges after allegedly trying to abduct a child playing in a driveway in Metro Vancouver.

Man arrested for attempted child abduction in Surrey, B.C.