Drought and Wildfire
With very low provincial snowpack, officials renew drought, wildfire warnings
VICTORIA - In the wake of a new set of troubling snowpack numbers for B.C., government officials are renewing their call for residents to prepare for a season of drought and wildfires.The latest Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin from the B.C. River Forecast Centre shows a province-wide snowpack that is 66 per cent ...
May 09, 2024
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Kamloops Parks and Trails
Trails and parks within the City of Kamloops to remain open during times of increased fire risk
KAMLOOPS - Nature parks and trails within the City of Kamloops will remain open during periods of extreme fire danger. After talks with the BC Wildfire Service, Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR), and within its internal divisions, the City states in a news release issued Friday (May 3) that there won't be temporary closures f...
May 04, 2024
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Wildfire Watch
Wildfire 100 kilometres west of Williams Lake grows to more than 100 hectares
ALEXIS CREEK, B.C. - An out-of-control wildfire south of the Cariboo community of Alexis Creek has grown to 101 hectares. The BC Wildfire Service says the fire nearly 100 kilometres west of Williams Lake was discovered shortly after 3:00 p.m. Friday (May 3). Its approximate location is one kilometre northwest of Zenzac...
May 04, 2024
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Lytton Rebuilding
B.C.'s auditor general to investigate government's role in Lytton recovery
VICTORIA - B.C.'s auditor general has announced a probe into the ongoing efforts to rebuild the community of Lytton. In a video posted to YouTube Wednesday (May 1), Auditor General Michael Pickup says his investigation will focus on the government's role in the days since a June 2021 wildfire ravaged the village. "...
May 01, 2024
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WILDFIRE TECH
Fire and Flood Emergency Services opens first BC shop in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - Technology in the world of firefighting, when it comes to wildfires is changing, and looking to be at the forefront of that change is Fire and Flood Emergency Services. The company opened up their first shop in B.C. today at the Kamloops Airport - nearly eight years to the day after it was founded.What start...
May 01, 2024
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SHUSWAP WILDFIRE RESPONSE
Post-wildfire rebuilds underway in Scotch Creek, Celista areas with Mennonite Disaster Service teams
SCOTCH CREEK, B.C. - At the start of rebuilding his home lost to the Bush Creek East Wildfire last summer, initially Wayne Roden was hesitant, and event a little skeptical about accepting help. But Roden says it didn't take long for the Mennonite Disaster Service to put those offers into action. "Of course, they (...
May 01, 2024
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WILDFIRE SEASON 2024
BC Wildfire Service ensuring recruits have access to critical mental health supports
MERRITT, B.C. - The importance of mental health is likely not your first thought when thinking about the men and women who protect our province each summer from wildfires. But it's a thought at the forefront of minds across the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) for the last number of years."Help set us up to meet climate...
May 01, 2024
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WILDFIRE SEASON 2024
BC Wildfire's newest recruits get put through their paces at boot camp near Merritt
MERRITT B.C. - As the province of B.C. enters a new wildfire season with 110 active fires currently burning, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is gearing up to supplement their ranks with 250 new recruits. Over the past month the new recruits have been put through boot camp both in Merritt and Prince George to prepare for...
Apr 30, 2024
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JUNIOR FIREFIGHTING
Kamloops students experience BC Wildfire training standards at junior fire crew program
KAMLOOPS - The next generation of BC Wildfire (BCWS) firefighters were able to get a taste of what their future may hold this week. Seventeen students from across School District 73 in Grades 11 and 12 attended the junior fire event at the Kamloops Fire Centre. Every single BCWS firefighter is required to complete the ...
Apr 27, 2024
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WELCOME HOME CEREMONY
Eight months after wildfire destruction, Skwlāx Rapid Housing Project yielding results
SKWLAX - "How do we get people home again?"It's one of the first questions Skwlāx leadership asked each other after the Bush Creek East Wildfire burned through the community last August, destroying more than 30 homes. Eight months since that day, 11 homes have been rebuilt in a new subdivision, with more on ...
Apr 25, 2024
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