Oliver Wildfires

Fire crews anxiously watch weather at Testalinden Creek

PENTICTON -  B.C. Wildfire firefighters expect to spend an anxious day on the front lines in the battle against the Testalinden Creek wildfire with strong wind in the forecast. Fire information officer Heather Rice says the wind is expected to pick up from the south around noon today, Aug. 28, which could be detrimental to...

Oliver and area residents could see increase in smoke as winds pick up

PENTICTON - Cooler, wetter weather slowed the Testalinden Creek fire on the weekend, but strong winds could give the blaze some renewed vigour this afternoon. B.C. Wildfire spokesperson Heather Rice says the calmer, cooler conditions over the weekend and this morning, Aug. 31, have decreased fire activity. Rice says while the fire has not grown...

UPDATE: Evacuation order expands near Testalinden Creek wildfire

PENTICTON - The evacuation order issued earlier this afternoon for residents near the Testalinden Creek wildfire has been expanded to include recreational areas and Crown land. The recreational areas around Burnell (Sawmill) Lake, Ripley Lake and Madden Lake, to the west of Oliver have been placed within the expanded evacuation order today, Aug. 28. As...

The danger of drones in wildfire zones

PENTICTON - One of the members of the B.C. Wildfire aircrew who spotted the drone flying over the Testalinden Creek fire near Oliver Sunday says it was pure luck they saw the unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV. The errant drone prompted an immediate grounding of eight helicopters and five planes, and as a result, the...

UPDATE: Crews battling two wildfires near Oliver

PENTICTON – The fight continues today to get a handle on the pair of wildfires burning near Oliver, which have forced hundreds out of their homes and destroyed a house. The wildfires broke out yesterday, Aug. 14, and grew quickly thanks to high winds pushing the flames through grass, sage and open timber, forcing the...

B.C. Wildfire reporting progress on Oliver wildfires

OLIVER, B.C. – The wildfires burning in the heart of the Okanagan’s wine country continue to threaten prized vineyards and orchards with scores of residents still out of their homes, but B.C. Wildfire says there has been significant progress in the fight against the blazes. Two fires are raging near the picturesque tourist town of...

Uneasy calm in Oliver after frantic night firefighting and evacuating

PENTICTON - Hundreds of people remain out of their homes as crews continue to battle the two wildfires in the Oliver area today. There is an uneasy calm after the frantic firefighting and evacuations last night. Smoke plumes dot the mountainsides west of the community today, Aug. 15, after the Wilsons Mountain and Testalinden Creek fires...

Controlled burn operations continue on Testalinden Creek fire

PENTICTON - Fire fighters on the Testalinden Creek and Wilsons Mountain fire continued to make progress on the fire front today. B.C. Wildfire spokesperson Noelle Kekula says the Testalinden Creek fire is now estimated to be 1,850 hectares in size, at 40 per cent containment. It is currently being worked by 126 firefighters, 10 helicopters...

Improved visibility allows limited air support on Testalinden Creek fire

PENTICTON - Firefighters working the Testalinden Creek blaze are receiving some limited air support today, Aug. 25, as South Okanagan skies clear of heavy smoke. B.C. Wildfire Fire Information Officer Heather Rice said 245 firefighters are currently working the blaze, aided by 11 helicopters. “Flying is still at a minimum, but there has been some...

Volunteer appreciation evening planned in Oliver

PENTICTON - The Town of Oliver is preparing to show its appreciation to the many volunteers who worked tirelessly to manage emergency efforts last weekend during the worst of the Wilsons Mountain and Testalinden Creek fires. An appreciation event is planned for Thursday, August 20, starting at 6:30 p.m. at Oliver Community Park. Emergency Support...

Oliver wineries confident wildfires won’t affect quality of crop

OKANAGAN - The full effects of Friday’s wildfires on Oliver wineries may not be known for awhile but winery owners are breathing a sigh of relief no wineries have been lost during the blazes. Fire crews continue to make progress in their efforts to quench the Testalinden Creek and Wilsons Mountain fires this week. What still...

Wildfires break out in Oliver; evacuations ordered

PENTICTON - Two wildfires are burning out of control north and south of Oliver this evening, Friday, August 14. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen issued an evacuation order tonight for 200 homes in the Wilson Mountain area north of Oliver and in the Testalinden Creek area south of Oliver. Emergency Social Services has been...