The theft of wildfire equipment is affecting firefighting efforts on the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland.The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) said the BC Wildfire Service has reported stolen pumps and other critical suppression equipment.The equipment is marked as BC Wildfire Service or Government o...

Drivers and pedestrians entering downtown Kelowna will now see a revamped public space called Plaza Landing.Formerly known as Anchor Park, the area is designed to link the Cultural District with nearby streets, neighbourhoods and destinations.The City says the improvements are meant to strengthen downtown as a place fo...

The ongoing drought and water scarcity issues in the Okanagan have raised concerns about fish populations.The B.C. River Forecast Centre gave the Okanagan Drought Level 5 and High Water Scarcity ratings on Thursday, which were the highest ratings on both those scales. Those also marked the fourth and third weeks where ...

Hot, dry weather and strong winds are making it more difficult for crews battling the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland.The B.C. Wildfire Service says fire activity has increased as winds of up to 30 kilometres an hour are expected to keep the blaze active, with stubborn fire behaviour reported in the southern and we...

Students and visitors at Okanagan College can now see two granite bear sculptures created by Cree artist Stewart Steinhauer.One sculpture in Kelowna features a mother bear with three cubs, while a grizzly is featured at the Penticton campus.The college says the artwork offers a chance to learn about Indigenous stories,...

Rutland voters will soon get the chance to hear directly from the people hoping to lead the community.An all-candidates forum is set for September 26th, featuring those running for mayor, council and school trustee.The event runs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Willow Park Church on Highway 33.Meantime, in West Kelowna, peop...

The Quilpituk Creek wildfire west of Westside Road has been downgraded to under control, a significant step forward after more than two weeks of firefighting.The blaze, discovered Aug. 1, covers about 1,276 hectares and is believed to have been human-caused. BC Wildfire Service says it is no longer expected to grow bey...

The Bald Range wildfire west of Summerland remains highly active, with crews now watching a cold front expected to move through the region Friday.The roughly 22,000-hectare fire saw increased activity Tuesday as hot, dry conditions and gusty winds pushed flames across parts of the western flank.BC Wildfire Service says...

A longtime Kelowna business leader and educator is entering the race for a seat on city council this fall.Laura Thurnheer announced her plans on Facebook, saying she wants to help guide the city through its growth.The municipal election is set for October 17th.In a media release Thurnheer said she has more than 30 year...

Housing construction activity in Greater Vernon saw an uptick in July, but it wasn't enough to close the year-to-date gap.Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reported a total of 13 housing projects were started locally in July.That was the same number recorded this June as well as the same figure reported in...

Kelowna City Council has endorsed a 153-page Parks Master Plan.It aims to provide a 20-year framework to guide development, management, and investment in public parks and open spaces. Part of the plan is for a so-called "Sapphire Shoreline." This ambitious idea would be to connect 27 kilometres of Kelowna's w...

The Regional District of North Okanagan has urged people to be prepared as wildfire risks persist in the area.The RDNO reminded people that Emergency Alerts are issued when there's a potential risk, and Evacuation Orders go out when people need to leave their homes due to a threat to life and safety.Even before these e...

Three Kelowna waterparks are cutting their daily operating hours as the city works to reduce water use during Stage 2 restrictions.Starting immediately, City Park Waterpark, Quilchena Splash Park and Ben Lee Waterpark will operate from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.The city says it is targeting a 20 per cent reduction in out...

Kelowna City Council received an update Monday showing the city is spending more on major capital projects.The city has spent $149 million so far this year, up $19 million from the same time last year.Capital spending has increased by more than 220 per cent since 2023.Kelowna has budgeted $559 million for capital proje...

Both fires on the northwest side of Okanagan Lake remain contained but some flare-up and smoke activity could take place.The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS)said hot, sunny weather today, coupled with gusting winds, could cause some flare-ups and increased smokiness at the Bradley Creek and Quilpituk Creek wildfires. Thund...

BC Highway Patrol recorded 24 impaired-driving prohibitions in Central B.C., including Kelowna, Vernon and Penticton, during its summer campaign from June 15th to July 31st.That's down from 111 last year and could mean fewer people are driving impaired.But this year's campaign was 40 per cent shorter, and some officers...

More Summerland residents can return home as the district continues to lift evacuation orders related to the Bald Range wildfire.As of 7 a.m. Tuesday, the evacuation order was downgraded for properties in Summerland proper west of Highway 97, including portions of Cartwright Avenue and Haddrell Avenue south of Dale Mea...

"You don't have to be in Summerland to stand with Summerland."Those are the words of Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food, in calling on residents to buy B.C. products to help farmers in communities suffering from wildfires:She said when grocery shopping, we can look for locally grown fruit, produce ...

The City of West Kelowna is looking to hire about 150 people to help run this fall's municipal election.Applications are now open for workers who will staff advance voting on Oct. 7, 13 and 15, as well as general voting day on Oct. 17.Election workers will help operate voting places, assist voters, issue ballots and su...

Work to control the fire near Fintry remained ongoing Monday morning.The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said the Quilpituk Creek wildfire was still estimated at 1,275.7 hectares in size and classified as Being Held, meaning it was not expected to spread any further.The BCWS had crews assigned to the blaze assessing and a...

A Summerland winery owner is asking residents to support Penticton businesses that stepped up to help thousands of evacuees during the Bald Range wildfire.Ron Kubek, owner of Lightning Rock Winery, says restaurants, wineries, breweries, retailers and other businesses in Penticton helped provide food, supplies and servi...

More residents are heading back to their homes in Summerland as officials continue to manage the Bald Range wildfire, which remains out of control.Damage assessments have now been completed in the community, clearing about 1,200 properties for residents to return. Other properties remain under evacuation alert, with ab...

West Kelowna and Penticton urgent care centres are extending their hours this weekend to support people affected by the Bald Range wildfire.West Kelowna will be open 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., while Penticton will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.Both centres provide same-day, non-emergency care, helping peopl...

Some Westside Road residents are back home after a phased re-entry was announced Friday morning for properties affected by the Quilpituk Creek wildfire south of Fintry along Westside Road.Peachland residents who left their homes because of the Bald Range wildfire also return, with the evacuation order changing to an al...

Kelowna RCMP are asking for the public's help to locate a 33-year-old woman who has been reported missing.Bianca Cornale was reported missing Aug. 8 and was last seen July 24 in the Rutland area of Kelowna.Police believe Cornale may be travelling in the North Okanagan with an associate and could be staying in a white G...

Kelowna residents are being encouraged to add a tree to their property this fall through the City's NeighbourWoods program.Seven FireSmart varieties are available for $50 plus GST each, with residents allowed to purchase up to two trees.The City says planting more trees will help provide shade, cool neighbourhoods and ...

The Kelowna Fire Department is urging residents and visitors to use extreme caution in city parks and natural areas as dry conditions keep wildfire danger elevated.Vegetation in many parks and open spaces is increasingly dry, meaning even a small ignition source could quickly spark a wildfire.Assistant Fire Chief Denni...

The wildfire in the Okanagan Indian Band lands is still being held, though there was a risk of some flare-ups Friday.The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said the fire was contained and still estimated at 2,658.1 hectares as of Aug. 14.However, the BCWS warned that sunny and hot weather could dry out fuels Friday, and that...