Tag: 2023 wildfires

Fast-Growing Fire Near Kamloops, BC, Prompts Evacuation Alerts and Orders

A fast-moving wildfire that has prompted evacuation orders and alerts in and around the Kamloops area expanded rapidly to 18 square kilometres in size on Sunday as it moved closer to the city limits. The Ross Moore Lake fire, first discovered Friday afternoon, is now about 13 kilometres south of the city and more than…


Memorial for Fallen BC Wildfire Fighter Held in Revelstoke

Family, friends and fellow firefighters paid tribute to a 19-year-old woman killed while battling wildfires in British Columbia earlier this month, describing her as hard-working, reliable and positive. Devyn Gale died on July 13 after being struck by a falling tree while fighting a wildfire near Revelstoke, B.C. Gale’s brother and sister, Nolan and Kayln,…


New York Consul General Blames CP Rail for Wildfire That Destroyed Lytton, BC, in 2021

New York Consul General Tom Clark says Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) is to blame for a wildfire that burned the town of Lytton, B.C., to the ground in 2021. “In British Columbia there was a town called Lytton, and a train went through and sparks came off the rails,” said Clark in a July 14…


Multiple Homes Threatened by Growing St Mary’s River Fire in Southeastern BC

A memorial procession and service will be held Saturday for 19-year-old Devyn Gale who died last week fighting a wildfire near Revelstoke, B.C. A B.C. government statement says the procession in Revelstoke will include Gale’s BC Wildfire Service colleagues, a colour party, an honour guard and representatives from first-responder agencies. Gayle died after she was…


Ottawa Working to Prevent Further Wildfire Tragedy After Deaths: Environment Minister

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the federal government is doing everything it can to prevent further tragedy after wildfires claimed three lives last week. Carter Vigh, a nine-year-old boy from British Columbia, died last week after an asthma attack that is believed to have been exacerbated by wildfire smoke. Adam Yeadon, 25, also died last…


Death of BC Boy Linked to Wildfire Smoke, Health Officials Warn

The B.C. Coroners Service issued a public safety alert on July 17 about wildfire smoke after confirming a nine-year-old boy died after his medical condition was exacerbated by the deterioration in air quality caused by the smoke. The boy, Carter Vigh, died last week in hospital. He’d suffered from asthma his whole life and always…


First Troops in BC for Wildfire Fight, as Helicopters and Hercules Plane Readied

The Canadian Armed Forces says the first troops to help in British Columbia’s wildfire fight have arrived in the province, with more soldiers, helicopters and a Hercules plane poised for deployment. The forces said in a statement that a reconnaissance team is on the ground in Prince George in central B.C. and is working with…


‘Aggressive’ Wildfire Shuts BC Highway as Military and Officials Set to Meet

The BC Wildfire Service says an “aggressive” fire that exploded in size over the weekend has cut off a highway on the central coast, while more than a dozen new blazes have been sparked since Sunday. The service says Highway 20 east of Bella Coola was closed Sunday evening as the fire that was discovered…


Wildfires: Quebec Ends Ban on Open Fires Inside Forests for First Time Since May

Quebec has completely lifted its ban on open fires in or near forests in the southern half of the province for the first time since May. The Forests Department says 23 fires remain active in that region, known as the intensive zone, which includes towns as far north as the Cree village of Mistissini, about…


Firefighter in Northwest Territories Dies Battling Wildfire Near Home Community

A firefighter has died while battling a wildfire near his home community in the Northwest Territories, marking the second time in only a few days a Canadian firefighter was killed on the job during a record-setting national wildfire season. The territorial government issued a statement saying the firefighter from Fort Liard, a hamlet north of the…