16.24°C Vancouver

Aug 6, 2022 12:34 AM - The Canadian Press

Evacuation orders, alerts expanded near wildfire burning in B.C.'s south Okanagan

Share On
evacuation-orders-alerts-expanded-near-wildfire-burning-in-b-c-s-south-okanagan
The BC Wildfire Service says almost 400 firefighters are now assigned to the blaze burning southwest of Penticton in the southern Okangaan. (Photo - The Canadian Press)

The BC Wildfire Service says almost 400 firefighters are now assigned to the blaze burning southwest of Penticton in the southern Okangaan.

A flare-up yesterday forced the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to order the entire community of Olalla to evacuate, affecting about 400 people, while the Village of Keremeos and surrounding areas are on evacuation alert.

Highway 3A which runs through Olalla and connects Keremeos to Kaleden is also closed until further notice.

Hundreds more homes are also on evacuation order or alert due to the blaze which was sparked last Friday and now covers about 42-square kilometres threatening homes and properties as far west as the Apex Mountain resort.

The B-C Wildfire Service says six blazes, which are either highly visible or threaten properties, are ranked as wildfires of note, but rain has helped crews working to contain two of them.

Latest news

canadian-astronaut-jeremy-hansen-speaks-with-prime-minister-mark-carney-during-artemis-ii-mission
CanadaApr 09, 2026

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen speaks with Prime Minister Mark Carney during Artemis II mission

Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen spoke with Prime Minister Mark Carney during a brief live connection Wednesday evening, as the Artemis II mission continues its return journey to Earth. The approximately 10-minute conversation included remarks from Carney, who praised Hansen and the crew for their work during the mission. The discussion also touched on items aboard the spacecraft, including maple syrup, as well as broader topics such as international cooperation and mission risks. Hansen responded by pointing to Canadian and American flags during the exchange, saying unity is one of the team?
navjot-kaur-sidhu-says-she-will-contest-2027-punjab-election-with-bharatiya-rashtrawadi-party
IndiaApr 08, 2026

Navjot Kaur Sidhu says she will contest 2027 Punjab election with Bharatiya Rashtrawadi Party

Navjot Kaur Sidhu says she plans to run in Punjab’s 2027 विधानसभा elections as a candidate of the Bharatiya Rashtrawadi Party, according to remarks she made at a press conference in Chandigarh. Speaking at the Chandigarh Press Club, Sidhu confirmed her intention to contest under the party banner. The announcement follows a social media post in which she indicated her political plans and shared material related to the New Delhi–based party, which she described as being established about nine years ago. Sidhu, the wife of former cricketer and ex–Punjab Congress chief Navjot
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

Edmonton man charged with human trafficking offences involving five women, police say

Police in Edmonton say a 47-year-old man is facing multiple human trafficking-related charges following an investigation involving five women. According to a release from ALERT Edmonton’s Human Trafficking unit, Jonathan Allard was arrested March 26 and is charged with 26 Criminal Code offences, including trafficking in persons, forcible confinement and assault. Investigators say the case began in June after one of the alleged victims contacted police seeking help. She told officers she had been recruited through social media to move to Edmonton, where she was allegedly forced into the sex t
man-arrested-after-reported-assault-on-woman-in-new-westminster
BCApr 08, 2026

Man arrested after reported assault on woman in New Westminster

A man has been arrested after multiple witnesses reported seeing a woman being struck in the street in New Westminster on Sunday afternoon. According to a New Westminster Police Department news release, officers responded to two separate 911 calls at 1:20 p.m. reporting an assault involving a man and a woman walking along the street. Police attended the area near Nanaimo Street and 18th Street, where they located both individuals. Officers arrested the man without incident at the scene and provided assistance to the woman. Investigators also interviewed multiple witnesses who remained in the a
AlbertaApr 08, 2026

Alberta defence lawyers call for probe into Edmonton police chief over manslaughter case comments

A group representing criminal defence lawyers in Alberta is calling for an independent investigation into Warren Driechel and the Edmonton Police Service’s top lawyer, Megan Hankowich, over public comments tied to a recent manslaughter case. The Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association says the statements may warrant a third-party review to determine whether any criminal conduct occurred. The group is asking Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery to direct the province’s Police Review Commission to assess whether there are grounds for charges, including intimidation or obstruction of justice. Ac

Related News