Bc Wildfire 2015
B.C. firefighters getting help from Ontario
BRITISH COLUMBIA - Crews fighting the nearly 200 wildfires raging across the province will get some help from our neighbours out east. A total of 70 personnel from Ontario are arriving today, July 7, to help with fires in the Coastal and Southeast Fire Centres. Two amphibious skimming aircraft, a birddog and an air attack...
Smoky skies advisory issued for entire Thompson-Okanagan region
THOMPSON OKANAGAN – If the visible smoke in the sky wasn't enough to warn you, a smoky skies advisory has now been issued for a large portion of the Southern Interior. The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority, has issued a smoky skies advisory for the Thompson, Shuswap, Nicola, Fraser Canyon,...
People ignoring campfire ban in Okanagan
‘THERE’S THE ODD FEW THAT DON’T THINK THE BAN APPLIES TO THEM’ VERNON - Fire officials in Vernon are surprised some people are still not getting the message about the importance of campfire bans. Twice Monday night, the Vernon Fire Department was called to illegal campfires in peoples’ backyards, deputy fire chief Lawrie Skolrood says....
Iconic Hawaii Mars flying tanker added to B.C.’s wildfire-fighting arsenal
PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – The owner of the iconic, red-and-white Martin Mars water bomber says the British Columbia government has agreed to add the flying tanker to its wildfire-fighting arsenal.
Huckleberry evacuation alert lifted as emergency operations centre closes
KELOWNA - The last evacuation alerts for the 55-hectare Huckleberry fire in Joe Rich have been rescinded. While the alert has been lifted for the 28 properties along Huckleberry Road, a release from the emergency operations centre says residents can expect to see ongoing fire suppression operations as firefighters work to fully extinguish the fire....
JOE RICH FIRE: Evacuation order for 141 homes still in effect
KELOWNA - UPDATE as of 7:31 p.m.: Approximately 141 properties are affected by the Evacuation Order and another 158 are under Evacuation Alert. UPDATE 5:41 p.m.: An Evacuation Order has been extended to include all properties on Goudie Road, Jack Pine Road, Prather Road, Trapper Road and Boone Road in response to the Joe Rich...
Highway 33 reopened around Huckleberry wildfire
KELOWNA - Highway 33 is once again open to single-land alternating traffic through the wildfire area in Joe Rich. The Emergency Operation Centre made the call along with the Ministry of Transportation. Speed limits may be reduced and emergency vehicles are in the area. You can also check drivebc.ca for more information. RCMP and traffic...
Evacuation order partially lifted for Joe Rich fire; Now 100 per cent contained
The Evacuation Order for the Joe Rich Grassfire has been partially lifted for 114 properties effective 8 p.m. tonight. The 28 properties remaining on Evacuation Order cannot return home and include: 1733 Huckleberry Road 1735 Huckleberry Road 1736 Huckleberry Road 1737 Huckleberry Road 1842 Huckleberry Road 1843 Huckleberry Road 1848 Huckleberry Road 1876 Huckleberry Road...
Crews make more headway on Joe Rich fire; 28 still under evacuation order
KELOWNA - Crews working on the Huckleberry wildfire over night took advantage of calm winds and cooler temperatures to stay ahead of the Huckleberry wildfire in Joe Rich keeping it entirely contained, officials say. The fire has not grown since it started Friday, July 3, according a 8 a.m. release by the emergency operations centre....
JOE RICH FIRE: YOU CAN GO BACK HOME!
KELOWNA - The Emergency Operations Centre advises effective at 8:00 p.m. tonight, the outstanding Evacuation Order for the 55-hectare Joe Rich interface face is rescinded. None of the 28 properties in the Highway 33 and Huckleberry Road area remain under Evacuation Order and all residents are now able to return to their homes. These properties...
UPDATE: Firefighters gaining ground on Huckleberry fire
KELOWNA - Fire fighters appear to be gaining control of a large fire near Heartland Ranch in Joe Rich. A release this morning says containment guards appear to be holding and the fire didn't grow much over night. It's still estimated at 80 hectares in size. Some 14 structural firefighters from Joe Rich Fire Rescue...
The likely cause of the Huckleberry fire in Joe Rich won’t surprise anyone
KELOWNA - The Huckleberry fire is now 50 per cent contained but residents under evacuation order are still not allowed to return home. The area still has visible hot spots and shows the fire clearly started just off the highway yesterday, July 3. Public information officer Bruce Smith said at a press conference today it was...
Fire burning near Ashcroft among several new ones in Kamloops Fire Centre
ASHCROFT - Crews are currently on scene of a wildfire that quickly grew to 20 hectares in Venables Valley along Highway 1. Kayla Pepper of B.C. Wildfire says it started this morning and is burning in grass and sage on the west side of Highway 1 southwest of Ashcroft. Early on the fire was more...
UPDATE: Coquihalla partially reopens as crews fight wildfire near Othello
HOPE - A car fire just north of Hope on the Coquihalla Highway has spread to the neighbouring trees and partially shut down the highway. Drive B.C. is reporting that Highway 5 was closed in both directions from Highway 3 to Merritt because of a forest fire but that it has since partially reopened. As...
Smoke in South Okanagan from aggressive wildfire
KEREMEOS - A fire is burning in the remote wilderness of Snowy Creek Protected Area and causing smoke that is visible from Highway 3 and throughout the South Okanagan. B.C. Wildfire is estimating the aggressive fire at 90 hectares and says it is burning the high elevation grassland and timber surrounded by natural barriers. Crews...