16.87°C Vancouver

News

189-buildings-destroyed-due-to-wildfires-in-b-cs-okanagan
BCAug 28, 2023

189 buildings destroyed due to wildfires in B.C's Okanagan

The number of properties damaged or completely destroyed in B.C.'s Okanagan wildfires has risen to 189.Central Okanagan Emergency Operations made the announcement on Monday.These properties were damaged in the regional district of West Kelowna and Central Okanagan West Electoral Area A.The devastating McDougall Creek fire is still out of control, West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund said in a briefing.Chief Administrative Officer Sally Ginter says the center is contacting all affected homeowners and asking them to recheck their property status online at cordemergency.ca/propertyinfo.Ginter sa
heat-warning-issued-for-several-b-c-communities-records-broken
BCAug 28, 2023

Heat warning issued for several B.C. communities, records broken

Persistent heat is expected to continue today in parts of British Columbia as the province continues to battle almost 400 active wildfires.Environment Canada says several communities in northern B.C. are facing heat warnings, with daily high temperatures predicted to reach in excess of 30 degrees.Communities currently under a heat warning include Fort Nelson, Fort St. John, Dawson Creek, Tumbler Ridge and Terrace.According to Environment Canada data, Fort Nelson is expected to reach 32 C again today after breaking its historic high temperature for August 27 at 32.4 C.Historic daily high temper
b-c-s-farmers-concerned-about-impacts-of-climate-change
BCAug 28, 2023

B.C.'s farmers concerned about impacts of climate change

B.C. farmers say they're increasingly concerned about climate change and the impacts of extreme weather on food production in the province.Because of its warm climate, B.C. has a unique agriculture industry.The province's farmers can grow fruit and vegetables that won't grow in other parts of Canada, and B.C. also boasts of Western Canada's only major winery regions.But in the last three years, B.C. farmers have suffered through drought, extreme heat, flooding and fires.These disasters have resulted in crop failures, livestock losses and widespread damage to farmland and infrastructure.Some fa
houses-of-13-fire-fighters-burnt-in-forest-fire
BCAug 25, 2023

Houses of 13 fire fighters burnt in forest fire

The chief of a small rural fire department in the B.C.'s Okanagan area says 13 members of his own crew have lost their homes while fighting wildfires this season.Wilson's Landing Fire Chief Paul Zydowicz says members of the department still continued their fight to extinguish the wildfire.Their homes were among 181 destroyed around Okanagan Lake last week.Zydowicz says those who have lost their homes will be cared for by emergency support services.Much of the area in the west of the lake is still under evacuation orders.It is worth noting that there are currently about 370 wildfires active in
travel-ban-lifted-for-bcs-okanagan
BCAug 25, 2023

Travel ban lifted for BC's Okanagan

A travel ban has been lifted for BC's Okanagan region as wildfires subside after this week's rain.Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma announced yesterday that travel restrictions for West Kelowna have been lifted from midnight.On August 9, travel restrictions were imposed in most parts of the region.Parts of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and parts of Lake Country are however still under evacuation orders.Travel bans for Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna and Kamloops were lifted earlier.The Emergency Operations Center has appealed that people returning home should ensure safety.The Stein Mou
heavy-rains-in-the-south-of-british-columbia-helped-crews-control-the-blaze
BCAug 24, 2023

Heavy rains in the south of British Columbia helped crews control the blaze

The Okanagan and Shuswap areas of British Columbia received heavy rainfall on Wednesday.BC Wildfire Service information officer Forrest Tower says about 20 millimeters of rain has fallen in the past day, which has helped the firefighters in fighting the blaze.Firefighters battling the McDougall Creek wildfire near Kelowna say the fire is coming under control due to last night's showers.Wildfires have wreaked havoc in BC's southern interior, forcing about 25,000 people to evacuate their homes.Tower says the Bush Creek East fire in the Shuswap area remains the state's top priority wildfire and 1
heavy-rain-helped-douse-wildfires-in-british-columbia
BCAug 23, 2023

Heavy rain helped douse wildfires in British Columbia

Firefighters in the Okanagan say heavy rain overnight has helped put out the wildfire.Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes due to this fire.Firefighters said 174 homes have been damaged by the blaze that has raged around Okanagan Lake since last Thursday.West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund says a total of 84 properties were damaged in West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation.North Westside Fire Rescue Chief Ross Kotscherofski says the rain helped put out the fire on the east side.In a wildfire update issued on Tuesday, West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund said more than 3,000
wildfires-in-mcdougall-now-under-control
BCAug 22, 2023

Wildfires in McDougall now under control

The intensity of the McDougall Creek wildfire has decreased.Dozens of evacuation orders and alerts issued in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley have been reduced.Central Okanagan Emergency Operations announced that residents of several properties within Westbank First Nation, Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country can return home, but should still be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.Five properties in Kelowna were destroyed while several in Lake Country sustained exterior damage, Kelowna Mayor Tom Deas said.
wildfire-smoke-is-toxic-may-cause-health-issues-expert
BCAug 22, 2023

'Wildfire smoke is toxic, may cause health issues': Expert

Experts say that the smoke spread in Metro Vancouver due to forest fires is toxic and can cause many health problems.Burnaby's Dr. Susan Kwan says the air is full of toxins that will make it difficult for people to breathe, whether they have health problems or not.She said that air contains nitric oxide and aromatic hydrocarbons, and such elements are toxic to the body.This can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, itching, pain or irritation in the nose.Dr. Kwan says that to avoid these problems, limit your outdoor time and drink plenty of water.The smoke is expected to persist for the next

Just In

radio-connect-fm-canada-extends-a-helping-hand-to-the-flood-victims-of-punjab
CanadaSep 08, 2025

Radio Connect FM Canada extends a helping hand to the flood victims of Punjab

Connect FM Radio has decided to run a special donation and fundraising campaign on Monday, September 8, as a special initiative to help the flood affected families of Punjab. This program is being run in collaboration with Guru Nanak Food Bank Gurdwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib Surrey and Sanjha TV. The funds collected under this program will be delivered to Punjab through capable hands to the flood affected families so that their lives can be brought back on track. This program is expected to receive great support from all Canadians and especially the Punjabi community.
canadas-dabrowski-and-partner-routliffe-win-u-s-open-womens-doubles-title
EnglishSep 05, 2025

Canada's Dabrowski and partner Routliffe win U.S. Open women's doubles title

Canadian tennis player Gabriela Dabrowski has won the US Open Grand Slam title with her New Zealand partner Erin Rutliff. The Canadian player won the women's doubles title in straight sets with her partner. Together, the two defeated the pair of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-4. Earlier, Gabriela Dabrowski also won the US Open title in 2023. Pawan Sahni, of Newton Tennis Club in Surrey, says “the win is a boost for Canadian tennis.” He added, on one hand, just a few weeks ago, young player Victoria Mboko won the Canadian Open title, and now, with Canada's senior player win
BCSep 05, 2025

Coquihalla Highway reopened following wildfire closure

The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) between Hope and Merritt has reopened in both directions following a closure caused by the Mine Creek wildfire. Due to the proximity of the fire, drivers should be prepared for the Coquihalla Highway to be closed with minimal notice. Drivers are advised to not stop in the fire zone. Intermittent lane closures can be expected as crews continue to assess and repair roadside damage, and visibility is reduced due to wildfire smoke. Drivers should also be prepared for an increased risk of wildlife presence due to fire damage to wildlife-exclusion fencing on this s
police-investigate-early-morning-shots-fired-in-south-surrey
CanadaSep 05, 2025

Police Investigate Early Morning Shots Fired in South Surrey

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating an early morning shooting that occurred in South Surrey. On September 5, 2025, at approximately 3:50 am, SPS responded to reports of shots fired in the 14300 block of 28 Avenue, Surrey. Upon arrival, members located numerous shell casings on 28 Avenue. It does not appear that any residences were damaged and nobody was injured. SPS Frontline Investigation Support (FLIS) Team are attending and have taken conduct of the investigation. Investigators believe this incident is related to an ongoing extortion investigation.
ministers-statement-on-the-cowichan-valley-transit-labour-dispute
BCSep 05, 2025

Special mediator appointed to resolve Cowichan Valley transit labour dispute

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Labour, has issued the following statement on the Cowichan Valley transit labour dispute: “This strike has been deeply disruptive to people living in the Cowichan Valley, who rely on transit to get to work, go to school, attend medical appointments and access everyday services. “This dispute has gone on for far too long. There’s a real urgency for the parties to get back to the table, find a fair resolution and get transit services back on the road. “To help the parties resolve the ongoing labour dispute, I have appointed Vince Ready as a special mediato