Safety

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...

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...

Smoky skies across Okanagan and Similkameen valleys

OKANAGAN - A smokey skies advisory is in effect for the Okanagan and Similkameen areas, due to high levels of wildfire smoke spreading throughout the valley. The concentration of smoke will vary as wind, fire behaviour and temperatures change. The advisory was announced Thursday morning by the B.C. Ministry of Environment. The Ministry is advising...

Contaminated tap water in Okanagan Falls; boil water notice issued

OKANAGAN FALLS - A boil water notice was issued Thursday for Okanagan Falls residents, after water testing results showed traces of E. Coli contamination. Residents are being warned by Okanagan Falls Irrigation District and Interior Health to boil water for one minute before drinking, preparing food, and brushing teeth. Water samples are being sent to...

Wildfire near White Lake Observatory reduced to brush fire

PENTICTON - A wildfire near White Lake Observatory in Okanagan Falls is nearly out after fire crews worked to put out the flames Monday evening. The fire started around 4:30 p.m. with unknown cause and grew to 20 hectares in size but was reduced to a brush fire by 7:30 p.m. Monday, when B.C. Wildfire...

Residents ordered to evacuate Gables Hotel

PENTICTON - Residents of the Three Gables Hotel were ordered to evacuate the building yesterday due to unsafe and unhealthy building conditions. Penticton Fire Department officials said the existing building conditions could seriously endanger life or property if there were a fire. The 17 residents were given 48 hours to collect their things and leave....

Wondering where the wildlife is? WildSafeBC has you covered

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - It’s spring and that means there are lots of wild baby animals roaming around, but hopefully not in backyards and towns. In the Thompson-Okanagan, black bears are the most common wildlife spotted. There have been a total of 42 black bear sightings in the last two weeks; three in Kamloops, eight in Naramata,...

Ski hill calls for improvements on B.C.’s worst road

“WE HAVE A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR RESORT AT THE END OF A CRAPPY DRIVE” VERNON - A major Vernon tourism engine is calling for improvements on the province’s worst road. Silver Star Mountain Resort’s operations manager Brad Baker says something has to be done about Silver Star Road, which was nominated as the worst road in...

Road safety highlighted during Bike to Work Week

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - This week is Bike to Work Week, a celebration that kicks off a season of more cyclists on the roads, and both cyclists and motorists are being reminded to do their part to help keep everyone safe. ICBC notes an average of nearly 1,000 cyclists are injured during the warmer months of May...