Tuesday, August 11, 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

B.C. Indigenous relations face 'fraught context' but treaty commissioner undeterred

B.C. Indigenous relations face 'fraught context' but treaty commissioner undeterred
Relations between the British Columbia government and First Nations plunged this year as Premier David Eby grappled with how or whether to amend the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which he once championed.

B.C. Indigenous relations face 'fraught context' but treaty commissioner undeterred

National artificial intelligence strategy to be released next week, Carney says

National artificial intelligence strategy to be released next week, Carney says
The federal government will introduce its long-awaited AI strategy within days, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Wednesday.

National artificial intelligence strategy to be released next week, Carney says

Homicide team investigating shooting that left one dead in Langley, B.C.

Homicide team investigating shooting that left one dead in Langley, B.C.
Homicide investigators have been called in after a shooting in Langley, B.C., in which one person died.

Homicide team investigating shooting that left one dead in Langley, B.C.

Chinese foreign minister's visit to Canada a 'positive sign': trade minister

Chinese foreign minister's visit to Canada a 'positive sign': trade minister
China's foreign minister is visiting Canada this week, something International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is calling a positive sign about the relationship between the two countries.

Chinese foreign minister's visit to Canada a 'positive sign': trade minister

Anand says Israel's 'mistreatment' of Canadians in flotilla violated UN treaty

Anand says Israel's 'mistreatment' of Canadians in flotilla violated UN treaty
Israel’s mistreatment of Canadians participating in a flotilla trying to reach Gaza violated the Vienna Convention, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said Monday.

Anand says Israel's 'mistreatment' of Canadians in flotilla violated UN treaty

Highest proportion of people since 2017 say Canada is on the right track: poll

Highest proportion of people since 2017 say Canada is on the right track: poll
The number of Canadians who believe the country is heading in the right direction has hit its highest percentage since 2017, according to a new poll from Abacus Data. 

Highest proportion of people since 2017 say Canada is on the right track: poll