Close X
Monday, November 25, 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

Surrey police issue Amber Alert for brother and sister

Surrey police issue Amber Alert for brother and sister
Surrey RCMP say Aurora Bolton and Joshuah Bolton were last seen in Krafty's Kitchen and Bar in Kelowna. Police say the suspect is Verity Bolton, who is five-foot-two-inches tall, with brown hair and eyes. 

Surrey police issue Amber Alert for brother and sister

Victim of violent carjacking, Gurvinder Nath, passes away

Victim of violent carjacking, Gurvinder Nath, passes away
Upon arriving at the delivery address, the victim was confronted by unknown suspects who attempted to take his vehicle when a physical altercation occurred. The unknown suspects fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle leaving the victim at the side of the road with life-threatening injuries.

Victim of violent carjacking, Gurvinder Nath, passes away

Surrey must stay with local police instead of RCMP: B.C. government

Surrey must stay with local police instead of RCMP: B.C. government
Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said in a statement that he has carefully considered the city’s report on moving back to the RCMP, but Surrey has not demonstrated that doing so would be safe or would not affect other communities.

Surrey must stay with local police instead of RCMP: B.C. government

Immigrant seniors lonelier than those born in Canada but research lacking: StatCan

Immigrant seniors lonelier than those born in Canada but research lacking: StatCan
Statistics Canada released the findings of a survey Wednesday showing older people who immigrated to Canada as adults were more likely to experience loneliness than those who were born here. It said loneliness has become an important concern because of its effect on health, including disability and frailty, as well as mental health issues.

Immigrant seniors lonelier than those born in Canada but research lacking: StatCan

Union gives notice of renewed B.C. port strike, employers say

Union gives notice of renewed B.C. port strike, employers say
The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association says resuming strike action that had halted cargo movement for 13 days at the start of the month is "unnecessary and reckless."

Union gives notice of renewed B.C. port strike, employers say

B.C. police sound alarm over wealthy cryptocurrency investors being robbed

B.C. police sound alarm over wealthy cryptocurrency investors being robbed
Police in Richmond and Delta are warning the public of a disturbing trend of high-value cryptocurrency investors being targeted for home invasions. Richmond RCMP and Delta Police say they have responded to several calls of reported robberies in the homes of cryptocurrency investors over the past year. 

B.C. police sound alarm over wealthy cryptocurrency investors being robbed