Jennifer Smith

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A new fire has been reported between Sicamous and Malakwa July 28. (B.C. Wildfire Service map)

New wildfire sparked in Shuswap

Blaze off Highway 1 between Malakwa and Sicamous

A new fire has been reported between Sicamous and Malakwa July 28. (B.C. Wildfire Service map)
Nearly 100 soldiers from first Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry arrived at the Vernon Army Cadet Camp Aug. 26 to complete a deployment of approximately 250 Canadian Armed Forces personnel assigned to Operation LENTUS. (1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, public affairs)

Canadian Armed Forces staged in Okanagan for fire help

Firefighting assistance sees 250 personnel land in Vernon, 90 helping Thomas Creek fire

Nearly 100 soldiers from first Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry arrived at the Vernon Army Cadet Camp Aug. 26 to complete a deployment of approximately 250 Canadian Armed Forces personnel assigned to Operation LENTUS. (1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, public affairs)
Original Joe’s, at the Shops at Polson plaza, is temporarily closed. (Google Maps image)

COVID-19 closes another North Okanagan restaurant

Original Joe’s is reportedly closed due to a case of the coronavirus

Original Joe’s, at the Shops at Polson plaza, is temporarily closed. (Google Maps image)
COVID-19 vaccines can be obtained at any time, no appointment necessary, at clinics across Interior Health. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Interior Health delivers more than one million COVID-19 vaccines

Milestone number of doses with clinics now open for drop-in

COVID-19 vaccines can be obtained at any time, no appointment necessary, at clinics across Interior Health. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Wyatt Rand helps with filling the Kelowna Community Fridge on April 24. Located at 1310 Bertram Street, the outdoor pantry and fridge is now accessible 24/7 for dropoff and pickups. (Aaron Hemens/Kelowna Capital News)

Community fridge opening in Lake Country

Volunteers get a boost from district towards new initiative

Wyatt Rand helps with filling the Kelowna Community Fridge on April 24. Located at 1310 Bertram Street, the outdoor pantry and fridge is now accessible 24/7 for dropoff and pickups. (Aaron Hemens/Kelowna Capital News)
Three fire danger rating signs, to the tune of $10,000 each, are being placed at firehalls on Westside Road. (RDCO photo)

Wildfire danger rating improvements en route to Westside

3 new fire warning signs to the tune of $30,000

Three fire danger rating signs, to the tune of $10,000 each, are being placed at firehalls on Westside Road. (RDCO photo)
Five fires sparked near the Monashee Provincial Park are estimated to be burning more than 1,700 hectares, collectively. (BC Wildfire Services)

Monashee wildfires see massive growth in North Okanagan

5 fires continue to burn out of control near Monashee Provincial Park; burning more than 1,700 hectares collectively

Five fires sparked near the Monashee Provincial Park are estimated to be burning more than 1,700 hectares, collectively. (BC Wildfire Services)
Emcee Brian Martin and auctioneer Don Raffan helped raise a record $63,000 for the Vernon Art Gallery at the Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts July 21 atop the Nixon Wenger building. (VPAG photo)

Midsummer’s draws up record support for North Okanagan Art Gallery

Rooftop patio party raises $63,000

Emcee Brian Martin and auctioneer Don Raffan helped raise a record $63,000 for the Vernon Art Gallery at the Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts July 21 atop the Nixon Wenger building. (VPAG photo)
A fire at the Warren Peace Bunny Sanctuary was quickly doused on the weekend. (Antoinette Monod photo)

Firefighters save bunny sanctuary from blaze in Lake Country

No bunny was injured at Warren Peace Bunny Sanctuary

A fire at the Warren Peace Bunny Sanctuary was quickly doused on the weekend. (Antoinette Monod photo)
Gary's Woodfired Pizza got some slack on the weekend for operating an open flame in Lake Country. (Contributed)

Pizza business gets Okanagan residents fired up

Wood fired pizza truck operating with exemption, while barbecues banned in parks

Gary's Woodfired Pizza got some slack on the weekend for operating an open flame in Lake Country. (Contributed)
The Michaud Creek wildfire burning along Lower Arrow Lake pictured July 17. (Ashley Voykin photo)

Edgewood fire evacuation order downgraded to alert

Hundreds allowed to return home

The Michaud Creek wildfire burning along Lower Arrow Lake pictured July 17. (Ashley Voykin photo)
The Michaud Creek wildfire burning along Lower Arrow Lake pictured July 17. (Ashley Voykin photo)

Edgewood fire evacuation order downgraded to alert

Hundreds allowed to return home

The Michaud Creek wildfire burning along Lower Arrow Lake pictured July 17. (Ashley Voykin photo)
Sylvan Lake has banned charcoal barbecues in parks because of safety risks. Too many people were disposing of hot coals improperly. Photo from pixabay.com

Barbecues banned in Central Okanagan parks

Extreme fire danger prompts prohibition of open flames in public

Sylvan Lake has banned charcoal barbecues in parks because of safety risks. Too many people were disposing of hot coals improperly. Photo from pixabay.com
Okanagan Indian Band kids recently enjoyed a fun, safe day on the lake thanks to the donation of lifejackets for the children. (Vernon Recreation Services photo)

Okanagan Indian Band kids buoyed by lifejacket donation

Vernon resident doubles donation to keep kids safe

Okanagan Indian Band kids recently enjoyed a fun, safe day on the lake thanks to the donation of lifejackets for the children. (Vernon Recreation Services photo)
A fire burning in the hills in the BX/Spallumcheen area is being actioned by a helicopter bucketing water Monday afternoon. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Greenhow fire in North Okanagan continues to flare up

Firefighters still dousing hot spots at blaze north of Vernon

A fire burning in the hills in the BX/Spallumcheen area is being actioned by a helicopter bucketing water Monday afternoon. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
The Turtle Bay Pub will be closed until July 30 due to staff exposures to COVID-19. (Turtle Bay Pub photo)

Popular Okanagan pub closed due to COVID-19 exposure

Several staff exposed to COVID-19 at Turtle Bay Pub

The Turtle Bay Pub will be closed until July 30 due to staff exposures to COVID-19. (Turtle Bay Pub photo)
Gena Barzan delivers cat food and supplies for a wildfire evacuee from Westwold Wednesday, July 21. (Animal Auxiliary photo)

Vernon group gives wildfire evacuated animals a leg up

Donations collected for North and South Okanagan evacauted pets

Gena Barzan delivers cat food and supplies for a wildfire evacuee from Westwold Wednesday, July 21. (Animal Auxiliary photo)
Crews battle the White Rock Lake fire, which has some Westwold residents under evacuation order and even more on alert. (Brent Robertson photo)

North Okanagan ranch helping wildfire evacuees and animals

O’Keefe Ranch has room for people and pets

Crews battle the White Rock Lake fire, which has some Westwold residents under evacuation order and even more on alert. (Brent Robertson photo)
An evacuation alert for Renata was issued July 21, 2021. (BC Wildfire Services - Twitter)

UPDATE: Renata on evac alert after area wildfires merge by Lower Arrow Lake

Residents on order to leave immediately July 21

An evacuation alert for Renata was issued July 21, 2021. (BC Wildfire Services - Twitter)
An evacuation order remains in place for the Bunting Lake Wildfire burning near the Mabel Lake Forest Service Road east of Lumby. (Sylvia Wilson photo)

3,000-hectare wildfire closes Mabel Lake service road

Rural Lumby home and cabin owners evacuated Tuesday, July 20

An evacuation order remains in place for the Bunting Lake Wildfire burning near the Mabel Lake Forest Service Road east of Lumby. (Sylvia Wilson photo)