UPDATE: Smoke over Lake Country came from ongoing, multi-year project in the area

Feb 11, 2025 | 10:03 AM

The smoke that billowed over Lake Country Tuesday morning was not a result of a winter wildfire.

Darren Lee, chief of the Lake Country Fire Department, told Vernon Matters the smoke was the result of a Ministry of Forests ongoing, multi-year fuel reduction project in the Spion Kop Peak area of the Commonage.

Lee said the public noticed the smoke Tuesday, Feb. 10, because of the clear blue skies making it more visible.

The fire chief added the work posed no risk to the public as the crews doing the work were experienced and following a prescription written by registered professional foresters.

— Original Story —

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

Salaries

Vernon Council to discuss lesser pay increases

Dec 12, 2025

Earlier reports of the B.C. Wildfire Service conducting an operation in the Okanagan Tuesday were false.

Large plumes of smoke were seen over the hills west of Lake Country around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, and the local fire department told Vernon Matters the smoke was the result of B.C. Wildfire Service conducting an operation in the area.

The provincial wildfire service agency has since responded to Vernon Matters, saying the agency was not doing any work in the area.

Lake Country Fire Department’s Chief and Deputy Chief were not available for comment as of 10:30 a.m., but the fire department corrected previous claims and said the smoke was the result of work by the Ministry of Forests in the area.

The Ministry of Forests was not immediately available for comment.

by Liam Verster

View Comments