Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Trudeau in Okanagan to meet firefighters, as final travel ban lifted for Kelowna area

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Aug, 2023 09:45 AM
  • Trudeau in Okanagan to meet firefighters, as final travel ban lifted for Kelowna area

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in the Okanagan in the B.C. Interior to meet with firefighters, volunteers and officials involved in the region's wildfire fight.

Almost 200 homes were lost or damaged around Lake Okanagan in the past week, but the battle has turned a corner with two major blazes being held by firefighters, although the McDougall Creek fire threatening West Kelowna remains out of control.

Trudeau's visit comes after the last travel restriction for the Okanagan was lifted, alongside all previous evacuation orders within the City of Kelowna, with wildfires diminishing since after recent rainfall.

B.C. Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said in a statement late yesterday that travel restrictions to West Kelowna were to be lifted as of midnight.

The ban for Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and Kamloops was lifted earlier this week after being placed over much of the region on Aug. 19 to ensure there are accommodations for evacuees and emergency personnel.

Meanwhile, the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre has downgraded all orders within Kelowna, as well as those for some homes in West Kelowna Estates and more than 300 properties in the District of Lake Country, to alert status.

However, officials say evacuation orders are still in effect in parts of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and Lake Country.

The emergency operations centre says returning residents should follow its comprehensive guide for a safe return, including proper procedures for issues involving pets, insurance and mental health support.

In addition, officials caution that residents may face a number of hazards left by the wildfire, including damaged trees that can be reported to the City of Kelowna if they are on public property.

Wildfires continue to rage in other parts of British Columbia, including the Stein Mountain blaze near Lytton now at close to 33 square kilometres in size.

The growing fire forced the Thompson-Nicola Regional District to expand its evacuation order to two additional properties in Blue Sky Country north of Lytton Thursday afternoon.

The regional district was able to rescind evacuation orders for 38 properties adjacent to the Ross Moore Lake wildfire south of Kamloops at around the same time.

There are currently around 370 active wildfires across the province, with about 150 classified as out of control and 14 qualified as fires of note for their visibility and threat to populated areas.

To date, wildfires have scorched almost 18,000 square kilometres of land in British Columbia, with 71 per cent of the fires caused by lightning and 23 per cent triggered by people.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Nanaimo TV theft poorly planned

Nanaimo TV theft poorly planned
Police in Nanaimo say a brazen theft of a 75-inch television from a Walmart in June was ill planned, with two suspects caught on video placing the large T-V on a car rooftop and holding it down with nothing but their hands. Nanaimo R-C-M-P say a man and a woman, both in their 40s, now face theft charges after they were filmed driving off with the stolen T-V on the evening of June 8th.

Nanaimo TV theft poorly planned

RCMP suspect Amber Alert kids taken off grid after 'preplanned' abduction by B.C. mom

RCMP suspect Amber Alert kids taken off grid after 'preplanned' abduction by B.C. mom
Surrey RCMP say they believe Verity Bolton, along with her father Robert and boyfriend Abraxus Glazov are living in trailers in a rural area after the woman failed to return the children to their father earlier this month. 

RCMP suspect Amber Alert kids taken off grid after 'preplanned' abduction by B.C. mom

70 year old pedestrian struck in Downtown Vancouver

70 year old pedestrian struck in Downtown Vancouver
The 70-year-old victim was crossing West Georgia Street at Cardero on July 22 at 9 a.m. when he was hit in the crosswalk by a dark blue Mini Cooper travelling east on West Georgia. The victim was taken to hospital where he remains in recovery.

70 year old pedestrian struck in Downtown Vancouver

Edmonton man appears in U.K. court after terrorism investigation

Edmonton man appears in U.K. court after terrorism investigation
Khaled Hussein, who is 28, was charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly being a member of a proscribed organization in the U.K. He was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport last week.

Edmonton man appears in U.K. court after terrorism investigation

Edmonton mayor announces funding to plant 1.5 million trees, expand urban canopy

Edmonton mayor announces funding to plant 1.5 million trees, expand urban canopy
Amarjeet Sohi says $47.8 million is coming from the federal 2 Billion Trees program and the amount is being matched by the city. Sohi says the money will allow Edmonton to expand its tree-planting efforts and bring it closer to its goal of being a "healthy and climate-resilient city."

Edmonton mayor announces funding to plant 1.5 million trees, expand urban canopy

Mental health minister puts $156M toward launch of 988 crisis hotline in November

Mental health minister puts $156M toward launch of 988 crisis hotline in November
The government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline, Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett announced Monday. Starting on Nov. 30, people in crisis will be able to dial 988 anywhere in Canada to be connected with trained responders 24 hours a day by phone or text message.

Mental health minister puts $156M toward launch of 988 crisis hotline in November