Meaghan Archer
UPDATE: Jura Mountain fire 70 per cent contained
PENTICTON - The wildfire burning near Jura Mountain remains 460 hectares in size and is still 70 per cent contained Sunday. The blaze is burning near five kilometres southeast of Missezula Lake. There are 27 firefighters, 4 helicopters, 9 pieces of heavy equipment with air tankers hitting the fire as needed, according to the B.C....
IN PHOTOS: Street art of downtown Penticton
PENTICTON - There are a handful of ways to deal with the city's tagging problem, and city officials are looking into them and will hopefully have a decision sooner rather than later as to how the problem can be fixed. In the meantime, here are some photos from around downtown Penticton of murals, graffiti and...
Evacuation alerts lifted for Apex and Jura mountain fires
PENTICTON - Evacuation alerts have been lifted for Apex and Jura mountain fires thanks to slow, steady rain falling in the South Okanagan and the hard work of wildfire crews. Evacuation alerts for the following homes have been cancelled as of Thursday morning, according to the RDOS: For the Apex fire: 146, 108, 22, 26,...
ARCHER: Shoutout to all the fire crews
Last week the Thompson-Okanagan was literally on fire, as I’m sure most of you know—it’s hard not to ignore large puffs of smoke coming from mountain tops, hazy skies that make it hard to breathe and endless news articles on fire updates and evacuation notices. Most of us watch these fires spread from a distance,...
Boot Hill fire completely contained
PENTICTON - The Boot Hill fire near Lookout Mountain is 100 per cent contained with the goal achieved Tuesday evening. The 101 hectare fire is located 30 kilometres south of Penticton. The fire was caused by lightning and was not an interface fire, according to B.C. Wildfire. The fire was first called in on July...
Council looks at options to end the city’s tagging problem
PENTICTON - An end to tagging in downtown Penticton may be just around the corner, so long as council can agree on a feasible and effective plan to eradicate the vandalism. City Council was presented Monday with several solutions to the tagging problem that received a lot of attention in the spring. Already there are...
Farmers Market wants more space for wine vendors
PENTICTON - Local wineries and breweries are now able to sell liquor and hold tastings at Penticton farmers markets, but some concerns regarding space and competition are already arising. Council passed an amendment at Monday night’s council meeting to change the definition of an outdoor market to include the sale and tasting of wine and...
Local wineries bring Canadian wine to the table in new documentary
OKANAGAN - The Okanagan Valley is the latest subject of exploration for a documentary on Canadian wines. Local production artists and videographers Jon Hunwick and Kenton Gilchrist of Asymetriq Productions Inc. are filming for their latest documentary, titled Ventures in Wine Country, the story of three Okanagan wineries and their progress of becoming contenders on...
Apex wildfire still not out after one week
PENTICTON - A fire that broke out last week on Apex Mountain continues to burn but is 75 per cent contained as of Monday morning. The fire is estimated to be 345 hectares in size and believed to be human caused, however an investigation is still underway. There are 15 firefighters and one piece of...
Jura Mountain fire almost entirely contained
PENTICTON - The Jura Mountain wildfire is now 90 per cent contained as crews continue to calm the flames. The fire is estimated to be 460 hecates in size and believed to be human caused. There are 27 firefighters, 20 service staff, 2 helicopters, 8 pieces of heavy equipment with air tankers hitting the fire...
Okanagan Valley contender for top wine region in world
OKANAGAN - The Okanagan Valley is a top contender for USA Today’s 10 Best Wine Regions to visit. The valley is up against world-renowned wine regions including Tuscany and Veneto, Italy; Nappa Valley, California; Rhone, France; and Marlborough, New Zealand. “Having visited Nappa Valley and Tuscany I firmly believe the Okanagan Valley is equal, if...
UPDATE: Apex wildfire now 60 per cent contained
PENTICTON - The wildfire on Apex mountain has burned 345 hectares and is now 60 per cent contained. The evacuation alert issued Wednesday remains in place for the lower portions of Green Mountain and Apex Mountain Roads, though it has been lowered to nine properties from 13. B.C. Wildifre has also reduced the amount of resources...
UPDATE: Boot Hill fire partially contained
PENTICTON - A fire burning 30 kilometres southwest of Penticton near Lookout Mountain is now 50 per cent contained. As of Saturday night the fire is mapped at 100 hectares, down from the 138 ha it was thought to be Friday, and was caused by lightning. It is was first discovered Monday, July 14 and...
Boil water notice lifted in Okanagan Falls
OKANAGAN FALLS - The boil water notice issued last week for Okanagan Falls residents has been lifted. The requirement of three clean water samples was given to Interior Health by the Okanagan Falls Irrigation District. The water found to be contaminated with traces of E. Coli last week is now clean and ready to use...
TransitBC looks to Okanagan residents for ideas connecting communities
PENTICTON - TransitBC is sending its Transit Future Team to the Okanagan to get feedback from residents on the kind of long-term transit plan they would like in their communities. This visit is part of the second phase of a new transit plan the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen and TransitBC to make transit more...