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Smith Creek Fire
Province balks at paying West Kelowna expense claims for Smith Creek wildfire
WEST KELOWNA – The fight against the Smith Creek fire in the summer of 2014…
He broke into home of West Kelowna fire evacuees, but no evidence he was the thief
WEST KELOWNA – As firefighters fought to save properties threatened by the 2014 Smith Creek…
VIDEO: Smith Creek fire from above and by the numbers
KELOWNA - Take a guess: How much water have fire crews dropped on the Smith Creek fire over the past week and a half? Would you believe more than 1.2 million litres? As of Monday morning helicopters had flown more than 100 hours, skimmers had dropped more than 300 loads of water and foam and...
Storms throw wet blanket over Interior blazes, but wildfires likely to return
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Heavy rain showers over the past 24 hours have wiped out any imminent wildfire danger across British Columbia, although it's expected to be only a temporary reprieve.
Intense 2014 fire season changes mindset in West Kelowna
WEST KELOWNA - Most municipal mayors, when given the chance, will trumpet the achievements of council and staff, but in the preface to its 2014 annual report, West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater talks mainly about one thing — how last year’s fire season affected the outlook of city council and staff. “We had two major...
Man will face the judge for what RCMP say he did during Smith Creek fire
WEST KELOWNA - The man who RCMP believe took advantage of the West Kelowna fire evacuation notice last July to break into an empty home to steal has been charged. On July 2014, West Kelowna RCMP received a report of break and enter and theft from a home in the 2500 block of Cobblestone Road....
UPDATE: Forestry, West Kelowna knock down fire in Smith Creek overnight
WEST KELOWNA – Fire crews worked through the night to put out a fire in the Smith Creek area. Forestry crews are on scene mopping up of what remains of the early morning forest fire that happened on private property, according to a press release from the District of West Kelowna. The fire started around...
People caused West Kelowna forest fire
WEST KELOWNA - The Smith Creek forest fire was caused by an unattended campfire located on private property in the bush area above the subdivision. A press release from the District of West Kelowna states two spot fires started when sparks escaped from the campfire late in the evening following a 38 Celcius day and...
Home thought lost in Smith Creek fire saved by helicopter crew
WEST KELOWNA - A home first thought to be decimated by a rank three wildfire burning in the Smith Creek Road area of West Kelowna has been saved. Thick smoke shrouded an evacuated home and outbuilding as the fire passed through the 1800 block area of Dixie Road and firefighters believed the property was destroyed,...
Smith Creek fire at 200 hectares, more than 2,500 evacuated
WEST KELOWNA - The Smith Creek wildfire has grown to 200 hectares as of 10:30 p.m. and remains entirely uncontained, officials say. Fire officials are trying to get a guard around the fire to protect some 1,100 homes in its path. The fire was called in as a grass fire at about 1:20 p.m. July 17,...
Firefighters battling 200 ha West Kelowna wildfire report few overnight flare-ups
WEST KELOWNA - Firefighters battling a 200 hectare fire in the Smith Creek neighbourhood of West Kelowna are reporting some good news this morning, saying the few flare-ups during the night were quickly knocked down. Crews from West Kelowna, Kelowna, Lake Country and B.C. Wildfire Management Branch monitored the fire overnight and are assessing the...
Smith Creek fire closes parks; music will still be heard
WEST KELOWNA - Three Central Okanagan Regional District parks are closed in West Kelowna because of the danger from Smith Creek wildfire. Glen Canyon, Shannon Lake, Rose Valley Regional Parks are all closed as a result of fire activity and will remain closed until further notice. "The Regional District apologizes for any inconvenience and encourages...
Vet opens heart, clinic to evacuated pets
WEST KELOWNA - Evacuations can be a high stress situtation but one local vet is trying to make it easier on people and their pets by offering free kennelling for all pets displaced by the wildfire burning in West Kelowna right now. Dr. Moshe Oz , a vet with Rose Valley Veterinary Clinic, says they’ve...
Evacuees watch crews attempt to save their homes
WEST KELOWNA - Margaret Maljevac is living out of Rubbermaid bins and watching water bombers swirl above her home, hoping it will still be there when the evacuation order is lifted. Maljevac is one of thousands of residents displaced by the Smith Creek wildfire in West Kelowna, now 400 hectares large and only 20 per...
UPDATE: Smith Creek fire now 30 per cent contained
WEST KELOWNA – Some positive news from the fire lines at the Smith Creek wildfire burning in West Kelowna Saturday morning. B.C. Wildfire Management is reporting the 260 hectare blaze is now 30 per cent contained. The perimeter contained is the area of the fire closest to the 1,100 evacuated homes. The cooler temperatures, higher humidity...