B.C. Wildfires 2021

The wildfire in OK Falls has grown to over 100 ha now. (Sue Birds photo)

Thomas Creek wildfire grows to 500 hectares, local state of emergency for Okanagan Falls

Evacuation alert issued for over 600 homes east of Skaha Lake

The wildfire in OK Falls has grown to over 100 ha now. (Sue Birds photo)
A view of Lytton, B.C. on Friday, July 9, 2021, nine days after a wildfire ripped through the village on June 30, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Black Press Media)

Canada, B.C. to match donations to Red Cross for those affected by devastating wildfires

Every $1 donated will become $3 after government contributions

A view of Lytton, B.C. on Friday, July 9, 2021, nine days after a wildfire ripped through the village on June 30, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Black Press Media)
A rail bridge spans the Fraser River as a wildfire burns in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Transport minister orders CN, CP to take new wildfire prevention measures for tracks near Lytton

CN has said its trains were not linked to the fire, and CP resumed its service through Lytton on Monday

A rail bridge spans the Fraser River as a wildfire burns in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 2, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
An untouched archway overlooks the river in Lytton, July 9, 2021. (Photo credit: Babara Roden)

B.C. urged to help rebuild Lytton to prevent great destruction from future fires

Rebuilding plans have not yet been announced, as focus has been on letting residents return to survey damage

An untouched archway overlooks the river in Lytton, July 9, 2021. (Photo credit: Babara Roden)
Firefighters in the Alberni Valley are concerned about the elevated fire danger during the heat wave. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

No formal wildfire evacuation plan exists yet for Alberni Valley

City, ACRD, First Nations planning evacuation routes, process for region

Firefighters in the Alberni Valley are concerned about the elevated fire danger during the heat wave. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
The fire currently burning above Pottery Road in Vernon. (Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star)

Drone spotted flying near out of control Vernon wildfire

The incident was reported by the BC Wildfire Service on Twitter

The fire currently burning above Pottery Road in Vernon. (Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star)
Crews from local fire departments and B.C. Wildfire Services are battling a large wildland fire near Coldstream that broke out Friday night off Highway 97 south of Vernon. Residents of Clerke Road and Commonage Road between Bailey Road and Allen Brooks Way were put on evacuation alert by RCMP. (Gavin Phillips photo/@ItsGavP)

Homes evacuated, highway closed after wildfire sparks near Vernon

Large fire started around 10 p.m. Friday, July 9

Crews from local fire departments and B.C. Wildfire Services are battling a large wildland fire near Coldstream that broke out Friday night off Highway 97 south of Vernon. Residents of Clerke Road and Commonage Road between Bailey Road and Allen Brooks Way were put on evacuation alert by RCMP. (Gavin Phillips photo/@ItsGavP)
A view of Lytton, B.C. on Friday, July 9, 2021, nine days after a wildfire ripped through the village on June 30, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Black Press Media)

Lytton residents left homeless after fatal wildfire get 1st look at devastation

‘Tour’ through village comes as the Transporation Safety Board announces it will be investigating the fire

A view of Lytton, B.C. on Friday, July 9, 2021, nine days after a wildfire ripped through the village on June 30, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Black Press Media)
Deadman Falls after Sparks Lake wildffre on July 9, 2021. (Skeetchestn Natural Resources)

Iconic Deadman Falls stands out against scorched backdrop of devastating B.C. wildfire

Deadman Valley is an area well-known to locals in the surrounding region

Deadman Falls after Sparks Lake wildffre on July 9, 2021. (Skeetchestn Natural Resources)
A motorist watches from a pullout on the Trans-Canada Highway as a wildfire burns on the side of a mountain in Lytton, B.C., Thursday, July 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. premier says he will lobby PM to enlist military for wildfire prevention duty

‘We’re hopeful we can find new ways to redeploy military resources’

A motorist watches from a pullout on the Trans-Canada Highway as a wildfire burns on the side of a mountain in Lytton, B.C., Thursday, July 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra speaks while Ottawa South MP David McGuinty looks on during a press conference at the Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier International Airport on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Kawai

Transport minister halts trains near Lytton as evacuees make temporary return

Raging blazes have damaged rail tracks and held up shipments across the B.C. interior, prompting a backlog of deliveries

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra speaks while Ottawa South MP David McGuinty looks on during a press conference at the Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier International Airport on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Kawai
SPCA staff setting up a temporary Animal Evacuation Centre in Kamloops to house animals displaced from the fire in Lytton. (Photo credit: BC SPCA)

BC SPCA rescues 41 animals after gaining access to Lytton

Rescued pets and livestock being taken to Kamloops for care

SPCA staff setting up a temporary Animal Evacuation Centre in Kamloops to house animals displaced from the fire in Lytton. (Photo credit: BC SPCA)
A helicopter pilot prepares to drop water on a wildfire burning in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 2, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Do you know your B.C. wildfire terminology?

These key terms are important for understanding the news and B.C. Wildfire Dashboard

A helicopter pilot prepares to drop water on a wildfire burning in Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 2, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Fire danger rating throughout the province is high, including the hot and dry Okanagan-Shuswap region. (B.C. Wildfire Service)

Lack of rain, high temperatures spike wildfire risk in southern part of Interior B.C.

Conditions in the region are volatile and much-needed rain is not present in the weather forecast

Fire danger rating throughout the province is high, including the hot and dry Okanagan-Shuswap region. (B.C. Wildfire Service)
Sheri Plummer, right, and Sally Soanes hold a freshly donated bouquet of daises for the ‘Our Hearts Are With You, Lytton’ awareness stand on the corner of Wright Road and Sunray Road in Parksville. (Mandy Moraes)

Parksville woman sets up ‘awareness stand’ for residents devastated by Lytton wildfire

Organizer advises of a GoFundMe page, encourages small gifts of sympathy

Sheri Plummer, right, and Sally Soanes hold a freshly donated bouquet of daises for the ‘Our Hearts Are With You, Lytton’ awareness stand on the corner of Wright Road and Sunray Road in Parksville. (Mandy Moraes)
SPCA staff setting up a temporary Animal Evacuation Centre in Kamloops to house animals displaced from the fire in Lytton. (Photo credit: BC SPCA)

SPCA personnel going behind evacuation lines in Lytton to rescue pets and livestock

One-day window on July 8 to rescue animals and take them to temporary shelter in Kamloops

SPCA staff setting up a temporary Animal Evacuation Centre in Kamloops to house animals displaced from the fire in Lytton. (Photo credit: BC SPCA)
Matthew Lasser steadies himself as Jim Lasser loads him up with wood during a building party to make beds for local firefighters, as Samuel Masterton and Keith Lasser work in the background. (Submitted/Stephanie Hooker)

Brand new beds awaiting wildfire crews who lost everything in Lytton fire

Group of businesses and volunteers get together to support firefighters with beds, funds

Matthew Lasser steadies himself as Jim Lasser loads him up with wood during a building party to make beds for local firefighters, as Samuel Masterton and Keith Lasser work in the background. (Submitted/Stephanie Hooker)
A motorist watches from a pullout on the Trans-Canada Highway as a wildfire burns on the side of a mountain in Lytton, B.C., Thursday, July 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘We are all still reeling’: Open letter from Lytton details devastation from deadly wildfire

Residents will be able to return for a bus tour on Friday, July 9

A motorist watches from a pullout on the Trans-Canada Highway as a wildfire burns on the side of a mountain in Lytton, B.C., Thursday, July 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Sarah De Francesco, left, Albert Huynh, right, and Leanne Opuyes, back left, cool off in the frigid Lynn Creek water in North Vancouver, B.C., on Monday, June 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Climate change made B.C., Alberta heat wave 150 times more likely, study concludes

‘Everybody’s really worried about the implications of this event, nobody saw this coming’

Sarah De Francesco, left, Albert Huynh, right, and Leanne Opuyes, back left, cool off in the frigid Lynn Creek water in North Vancouver, B.C., on Monday, June 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Wildfire in Lytton, B.C., seen on June 30, 2021. (@guyatsfu/Twitter)

B.C. premier, ministers fly over Lytton and other wildfire sites

People who lost their homes carry on with firefighting

Wildfire in Lytton, B.C., seen on June 30, 2021. (@guyatsfu/Twitter)