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.

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

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says it may not be possible to estimate insured losses from the fires currently burning in British Columbia, however, experts say that one should start processing the insurance claims as soon as possible. .Daniel Ivans of Rates dot ca says that when filing a claim, not every detail of the damage needs to be provided right now, and relevant information can be added later.The Insurance Bureau of Canada says all standard homeowners and tenant insurance policies cover fire damage, and also provide coverage to help with mass evacuation costs.

The West Kelowna fire chief says at least 50 structures have been destroyed by the McDougal Creek fire on both sides of Okanagan Lake.Jason Brolund says the damage assessment is not complete and the status of more buildings is likely to be confirmed in the coming days.Officials, however, have said that the crew has made good progress in the last few days and no casualties have been reported in the last 24 hours.The fire is still spreading in about 11,000 hectares.Evacuation orders and alerts continue for various communities in Kelowna and West Kelowna.

Kelowna International Airport closed its airspace on Friday morning and canceled most of the flights.Flights have been canceled to make room for aerial crews battling raging wildfires burning around the city in British Columbia's Okanagan Valley.According to the airport's website, most flights in and out of Kelowna have been canceled till Friday afternoon.It is worth mentioning that the city of Kelowna in British Columbia has also come under the grip of wild fire.A state of emergency has been declared in Kelowna city.Evacuation orders have been issued to people living in Clifton Road North, Ke

The chief of the Kwikwetlem First Nation says his entire community is grieving the sudden loss of one of its councillors.Police have said Stephanie Patterson was found dead in a rural area in Mission, B.C. on Tuesday.Chief Ron Giesbrecht says in a statement that Patterson was a keen learner who had been passionate about helping all members of their community.He says the nation is not commenting on the arrest and second-degree murder charge of 57-year-old David Hall in relation to Patterson's murder, and is asking for privacy for her family and the community.

The director of provincial operations for the B.C. Wildfire Service says the next 24 to 48 hours could be the most challenging for crews battling the wildfires.Cliff Chapman says that an incoming cold front, after hitting a high-pressure system, produces significant, sustained winds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour.Chapman says gusts of up to 60 km/h can be expected, and the cold front is likely to produce lightning, which could spark new fires.Chapman urged that everyone follow evacuation orders if they are issued.

In the case of the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijhar, the police have also included a third suspect and seeking help from the general public to trace him.Timothy Pierotti, a spokesman for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, told reporters on Wednesday that on the day of murder, a suspect was seen waiting in a car near 121st Street and 68th Avenue, and was ready to drive away.Police believe that this suspect helped two other suspects flee the scene.According to police, the vehicle driven by the suspect is a silver colored 2008 Toyota Camry.The team has released an image of the suspect vehi

Much of British Columbia is expected to experience extreme heat throughout the week.Environment Canada predicted that Kamloops will reach a high of 38 degrees by Wednesday and Port Alberni is expected to hover around 30 degrees this week.Emergency Management Minister, Bowinn Ma has urged BC residents to take precautions to avoid the heat, drink more water and fluids and limit outdoor activities.People have also been asked to move to cooling centers if possible.In the heat warning issued on Saturday, the Department of Meteorology predicted that the temperature would reach 33 degrees in Vancouve