National

More evacuation orders coming down around West Kelowna, B.C., wildfire

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Sep, 2023 12:06 PM

The area under evacuation order around a wildfire in West Kelowna, B.C., is gradually shrinking.

The Central Okanagan emergency operations centre says residents of 16 properties along Bear Creek Road are allowed to go home, although they remain on evacuation alert and must be ready to leave again if the McDougall Creek wildfire flares.

As a ridge rebuilds on Thursday and Friday, increased temps low humidity and strong winds will likely increase fire behaviour and smoke starting on Friday. Torching and intermittent crowning may occur, with growth expected on larger fires in the zone through Friday and Saturday.
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) September 13, 2023

Evacuation orders were lifted for more than two dozen other properties on Wednesday, weeks after thousands of residents were chased out by the fast-moving wildfire.

The centre says about 350 properties are still under evacuation order and close to 5,000 are on evacuation alert as the fire remains out of control, nearly a month after it was reported.

About half of the 400 structures or homes that were destroyed in B.C.'s wildfires this summer were lost in the Kelowna area.

There are almost 400 fires are still burning in the province in what has been a record season for area burned, and about 160 of those fires remain out of control.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Indigenous people more likely to die from opioids

Data from the First Nations Health Authority in British Columbia shows that Indigenous people are five times more likely to experience an overdose and three times more likely to die than other residents. The gap has been further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, the authority said.

Indigenous people more likely to die from opioids

Unmarked graves news story of the year: CP poll

The discovery of unmarked graves at a former residential school in the B.C. Interior and the countrywide awakening it set off have been chosen as Canada’s news story of the year by editors in newsrooms across the country.

Unmarked graves news story of the year: CP poll

1,129 COVID19 cases over 3 days

There are currently 2,949 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 217,705 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 185 individuals are currently in hospital and 72 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

1,129 COVID19 cases over 3 days

Dash cam footage sought in alleged assault of police officer

On December 2, 2021 a Richmond RCMP frontline officer was attempting to arrest a man for an alleged theft when the man allegedly assaulted the officer. During the attempted arrest, a struggle on the ground ensued. Prior to additional officers arriving, the man was able to break free and run from the area on foot.

Dash cam footage sought in alleged assault of police officer

27 teenagers crammed in a party bus with a dance floor, VPD issues fines in safety blitz

Officers found 27 teenagers crammed inside a party bus with a dance floor. The bus had been hired to take the teens downtown for a 17-year-old’s birthday party. VPD officers are now recommending 27 counts of failing to provide a chaperone for passengers under 19, allowing open liquor in a vehicle, and operating with too many passengers.

27 teenagers crammed in a party bus with a dance floor, VPD issues fines in safety blitz

Suspect sprays bear spray in Pacific Centre Mall and steals purse worth $1800

The robbery occurred around 6 p.m. on December 3, as holiday shoppers were visiting the Dunsmuir Street retailer. The suspect, who was masked, entered the store and deployed a cloud of bear spray, then walked over to a display rack and stole a $1,800 purse, before exiting the store and walking east on Dunsmuir to Seymour Street.