18.05°C Vancouver

Aug 18, 2023 8:05 PM - Connect News

Airspace over Kelowna International Airport closed to accommodate crews battle wildfires

Share On
airspace-over-kelowna-international-airport-closed-to-accommodate-crews-battle-wildfires
According to the airport's website, most flights in and out of Kelowna have been canceled till Friday afternoon.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

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, Kelowna and other nearby areas on Friday.

A local state of emergency was also declared on Thursday night in the city of West Kelowna and the Westbank First Nation.

West Kelowna has a population of about 36,000.

Evacuation orders have been issued for 2,400 houses in the city and 4,800 houses have been put on alert.

Latest news

b-c-municipalities-urge-eby-to-hold-provincial-election-after-local-vote
BCSep 17, 2026

B.C. Municipalities Urge Eby to Hold Provincial Election After Local Vote

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss
police-take-major-action-in-burnaby-hospital-fire-case-after-six-year-investigation
BCSep 17, 2026

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft
AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre
maninder-sidhu-to-lead-trade-talks-in-india-philippines
BCSep 17, 2026

Maninder Sidhu to Lead Trade Talks in India, Philippines

Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, is travelling to India and the Philippines this week to advance new trade agreements and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses. During his visit to India, Sidhu will lead high-level trade discussions focused on opening new opportunities for Canadian aerospace, artificial intelligence, clean energy and critical minerals sectors. He is also expected to meet with leading Indian business leaders and investors and encourage them to invest in Canada. Sidhu said another key objective of the trip is to advance free trade agreement
60-year-old-man-arrested-after-fleeing-scene-following-multiple-vehicle-collisions-in-vancouver
BCSep 17, 2026

60-Year-Old Man Arrested After Fleeing Scene Following Multiple Vehicle Collisions in Vancouver

A 60-year-old man has been arrested by Vancouver police for allegedly crashing into multiple vehicles and fleeing the scene. According to police, the incidents occurred around 9 a.m. Tuesday in southeast Vancouver, near East 49th Avenue and Elliott Street. Officers said people were inside the vehicles when they were struck. Police said several vehicles were damaged, but no injuries were reported. After the collisions, the suspect allegedly abandoned his vehicle and fled the scene on foot. Police later arrested the suspect, identified as Wayne Tran. He is facing charges related to dangerous dri

Related News