B.C. government introducing travel restrictions to free up accommodations for evacuees
The B.C. government is using the extraordinary powers granted to it under its state of emergency declaration to implement a restriction on tourism-related travel to areas affected by wildfires.
Premier David Eby announced the order at a news conference Saturday afternoon.
He said the order is intended to ensure sufficient temporary accommodations are available to people who are evacuating or are involved in fighting fires.
"The current situation is grim," Eby said, adding that there are about 35,000 people on evacuation order across the province and another 30,000 are on evacuation alert and may need to leave at a moment's notice.
"We have an urgent need for more accommodation," the premier said. "This order says, 'Stay off the roads for tourist-related, non-essential travel to stay in temporary accommodation.'"
The order applies specifically to the Okanagan region, according to Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma.
"People, families, firefighters and other front-line responders need a safe place to stay during this extremely challenging and difficult time," Ma said. "Under this order, we are restricting travel to several communities for anyone planning on staying in temporary accommodation."
Communities included in the order are Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon, the minister said.
"Let me be clear: Temporary accommodation in the areas I have listed are no longer available for non-essential visits. If you do not need to travel to these areas for essential reasons, we need you to change your plans." Ma said.
She asked those who are currently vacationing in the area to consider cutting their visits short in order to free up more space.
"I want to thank everyone who has already cancelled their plans to travel to the Okanagan," Ma said. "Your efforts are helping."
The premier also thanked people for staying home, characterizing the order announced Saturday as the formalization of what the province was already requesting when it declared a state of emergency Friday .
"We shouldn't need an order," he said. "Please, just stay out of these areas if you don't have to be there."
Declaring a state of emergency grants the province extraordinary powers under the Emergency Program Act, allowing for swifter responses to rapidly developing crises.
Those powers can include restricting travel, forcing evacuations, and even commandeering personal property if doing so is deemed necessary for disaster response.
The government previously declared province-wide states of emergency in March 2020 as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in November 2021 following the historic floods and landslides that left several communities under water and cut off highway access to the Lower Mainland.
The declarations remain in place for two weeks by default, at which time they can be renewed or cancelled. Officials also have the ability to call them off at any time.
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Andrew Weichel
Vancouver Top Stories
Home sale contract handwritten in Chinese holds up in B.C. court
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
Mounties arrest 7 after 'significant' seizure of drugs, guns on Vancouver Island
2 people threatened with imitation gun in Downtown Eastside, police say
Trudeau non-committal on funding B.C. First Nation's orca rescue efforts
$1.1M lost in just over a month to fraudsters posing as Chinese police: Richmond RCMP
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
Woman killed, driver sought after hit-and-run crash in Duncan, B.C.
Ctvnews.ca top stories.
DEVELOPING | Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Editor's Picks
17 practical things for your backyard that you'll want to order immediately, 19 of the best mother's day gifts under $50, here are the best deals you'll find on amazon canada right now, our guide to the best inflatable hot tubs in canada in 2024 (and where to get them), 21 of the best dog products you can get on amazon canada right now, our guide to the best coolers in canada in 2024 (and where to get them), 17 unique mother's day gifts your mom definitely wants, but probably won’t buy herself, if your mom needs a bit of rest and relaxation, here are 20 of the best self-care gifts for mother's day, 20 gifts that are so great, you'll want to keep them for yourself, 12 travel-sized skincare products that'll fit in your toiletry bag, 15 wrinkle-smoothing serums that’ll help reduce the appearance of fine lines, this canadian red light therapy brand is here to give you your best skin ever, vancouver island.
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Mounties say seven people have been arrested after a series of co-ordinated property searches on Vancouver Island yielded multiple firearms, including 3D-printed handguns, and several kilograms of drugs.
Colwood, B.C., hosts hike to prepare residents for potential tsunami
In Colwood, B.C., there are 35 residential homes in the tsunami inundation zone.
Stolen snake named Milkshake returned to Kelowna pet store
A banana ball python that was stolen from a Kelowna pet store on Saturday has been returned unharmed, Mounties said.
Nurses rally at B.C. Interior hospital over security, staffing concerns
Nurses held a rally Wednesday at a hospital in the B.C. Interior that closed its emergency department more than a dozen times last year due to insufficient staff.
B.C. to add 240 complex-care housing units throughout province
British Columbia is planning to add 240 new units to its complex-care housing program, providing homes for people with mental-health and addictions challenges that overlap with other serious conditions.
Spit, punches and bites: School support staff detail rising violence from students
A former educational assistant is calling attention to the rising violence in Alberta's classrooms.
Grande Prairie swears in new police chief as questions swirl over need for an Alberta force
The city's transition to governing its own police force comes as Alberta's public safety minister cites concerns with the province's policing contract with the RCMP, which expires in 2032.
New report suggests Alberta's emissions reduction plan made little progress in first year
Alberta has done little to advance its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions a year after introducing it, an analysis suggests.
From 'barely surviving, to living': Calgary family champions local mental health supports
It seemed like their world was crashing in when free mental health services changed the lives of a Calgary family and now they are trying to help others get the same support.
Calgary man accused in toddler death released on bail
Winston Campbell granted bail at first court appearance
Voluntary water limits put in place in face of possible Alberta drought
More than three dozen of Alberta's largest water users have agreed with a provincial plan to cut back on water usage this year ahead of a severe drought expected this summer.
Lethbridge cutting back on water use as part of provincial water sharing agreement
The province has announced the largest water sharing agreement in Alberta’s history, which will see Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, among other municipalities, cut water use.
Medicine Hat woman charged after $60K stolen from Redcliff Legion
Mounties say a 32-year-old Medicine Hat woman has been charged in connection with the theft of $60,000 from the Redcliff Legion.
Deterrent sentence possible, expert says, after trio convicted in connection to Coutts border blockade
Three men who helped lead and co-ordinate the 2022 border blockade at Coutts, Alta., have been found guilty of public mischief.
'Like part of the family': St. Boniface burger staple back after closing down last year
Mrs. Mikes shut down last year after a half-century of serving the community. Now its doors have reopened and Winnipeggers were lined up to get their fill, even as snow fell on them.
Tiber River ceasing operations
Tiber River, a shop that sells natural body care products, is ceasing operations.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Plans to add passing lanes from Fort Qu'Appelle to Melville given the green light
Four new passing lanes are expected to be added along Highway 10 from Fort Qu’Appelle to Melville in the coming years.
Saskatoon judge to make ruling on evidence in fatal THC-impaired driving case
A Saskatoon Provincial Court judge will determine whether testimony from a woman, charged with impaired driving causing the death of a child, will be used as evidence in her trial.
Ontario early childhood educators still waiting for promised 2024 wage increases
Ontario Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) are still waiting for their promised 2024 wage increases and advocates say the delay is causing stress for workers.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.
WATCH | Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Woman stabbed at motel in Montreal's west end
A 39-year-old woman was sent to hospital with serious injuries after police say she was stabbed inside a motel room in Montreal's west end Friday morning.
Iconic ninth floor Eaton Centre restaurant set to reopen in May
There was once a beautiful restaurant on the ninth floor of the former Eaton's department store. It closed 25 years ago, but many in Montreal still talk about it. Soon, Le 9ieme will open to diners once again.
Tenants fighting proposed redevelopment in Centretown
As the City of Ottawa faces a housing shortage, there is controversy brewing in Centretown over a proposed redevelopment that many tenants say could leave them homeless.
Will parking remain free in Wellington West and Westboro? City studying parking options
Time could soon run out on free on-street parking in Ottawa's Westboro, Wellington West and Hintonburg neighbourhoods.
OPP reminds drone operators it's illegal to operate a drone near emergency sites following Hwy. 417 fatal crash
Ontario Provincial Police are reminding people that it is illegal to fly a drone over traffic collision sites, after drone footage captured over a fatal crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa appeared online.
Nova Scotia justice minister resigns following domestic violence comments
Brad Johns, Nova Scotia’s justice minister has resigned, according to a short statement from Premier Tim Houston on Friday evening.
'Dangerous man' with firearm in Bible Hill in custody: N.S. RCMP
The RCMP says a 'dangerous man' with a firearm in Bible Hill, N.S., is in custody Friday morning.
New Brunswick MLA Gary Crossman resigns from Blaine Higgs’ PC cabinet
Gary Crossman, New Brunswick’s minister of environment and climate change, is resigning from Blaine Higgs’ Progressive Conservative cabinet immediately.
No more train trauma for Adelaide Street commuters
‘Onto Adelaide and just zip down’: Cars no longer have to deal with trains on Adelaide Street North, near Central Avenue.
Witness insists they are telling the truth at sexual abuse trial
A witness at the sexual assault trial involving parents is adamant the children involved in the trial are all telling the truth about what they had to endure during their upbringing.
City councillor says encampment response falls short and comes too late
A city councillor said she’s concerned the city is encouraging homeless encampments rather than finding more permanent solutions.
NDP leader likens Wilmot farmland grab to Greenbelt scandal
A controversial land acquisition proposed in Wilmot Township is once again in the spotlight, as Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles hosts a town hall in the community, calling the deal “eerily similar” to the Greenbelt scandal.
Kitchener golfer recognized as creator of Masters skip-shot tradition
A Canadian Hall of Fame golfer from Kitchener is finally getting recognition for starting the skip-shot tradition at The Masters.
KW Glee, music school suspend employee over sexual assault charge
Two Kitchener-Waterloo music organizations have placed an employee on a leave of absence after he was charged in a historical sexual assault investigation.
Northern Ontario
Flood warning issued for Lake Nipissing shoreline in North Bay
A flood warning was issued Friday for the Lake Nipissing shoreline in North Bay, Callander and the Parks Creek watershed.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
500 Newfoundlanders wound up on the same cruise and it turned into a rocking kitchen party
A Celebrity Apex cruise to the Caribbean this month turned into a rocking Newfoundland kitchen party when hundreds of people from Canada's easternmost province happened to be booked on the same ship.
Protest averted as Newfoundland and Labrador premier helps reach pricing deal on crab
A pricing agreement has been reached between crab fishers and seafood processors that will allow for Newfoundland and Labrador's annual crab fishery to get started.
Stay Connected
- Entertainment
- Photo Galleries
- Commuter Centre
- Border Crossings
- Ask A Lawyer
- Hot Property
- Wellness Wednesdays
- Human Interest
- Real Estate
- Top Social Stories
- CP24 Supports
- Newsletters
- Skip to Main Content
CP24 BREAKING NEWS IN TORONTO AND BEYOND
Advertisement
B.C. orders fire-zone travel bans as evacuations soar
KELOWNA - British Columbia imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones on Saturday after evacuee numbers doubled to 30,000 or more, marking another day of dramatic developments in the province's desperate battle against hundreds of blazes.
The epicentre of the fight is the Okanagan in the southern Interior, where fire chiefs hailed the efforts of an “army” of firefighters trying to hold off fires looming over the lakeside communities of West Kelowna and Kelowna.
West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund painted a vivid picture of what his fire crews were facing on Saturday, including multiple simultaneous housefires and a “street full” of homes ablaze.
Yet he said the situation represented a reprieve compared to the pitched battles being fought the day before, something he described as “mind-boggling.”
B.C. Premier David Eby said the sheer scale of the evacuations prompted the government to issue an order restricting travel to fire-affected areas to ensure accommodation was available for evacuees and emergency personnel.
He told a news briefing the order restricts non-essential travel for the purpose of staying in temporary accommodation such as a hotel, motel or campground.
Eby put evacuee numbers at 35,000, although Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said it was 30,000, with a further 36,000 on evacuation alert.
Evacuee numbers stood at 15,000 late Friday when Eby announced a provincewide state of emergency in response to the fires.
Ma said the latest order, effective immediately until Sept. 4, restricted travel for anyone planning to stay in temporary accommodation in Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon.
“Let me be clear. Temporary accommodation in the areas I have listed are no longer available for non-essential visits,” she said, adding would-be tourists need to “change your plans.”
People already in accommodations were being asked to check out early, she said. The order excludes travel for medical reasons, funerals and a range of other activities.
Eby also said Solicitor General Mike Farnworth had authorized emergency provisions to allow municipal RCMP resources to be deployed to evacuated areas and secure empty properties.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office issued a statement on Saturday saying he convened the incident response group - made up of ministers and senior officials - to discuss the wildfire situation in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.
The group agreed on the importance of making additional resources available to both jurisdictions and “working closely with all orders of government in order to support Canadians,” the statement read.
Trudeau also discussed the provincial situation with Eby, his office said in a separate release, noting he pledged to provide all necessary aid from the federal government.
In the Okanagan, West Kelowna fire chief Brolund said firefighters continued to face multiple structure fires.
But he said the previous night's battle got a boost from calmer and cooler conditions.
He said there were “real successes” overnight thanks to the efforts of about 200 firefighters battling the destructive McDougall Creek wildfire.
“We were still fighting tens, multiple structure fires at the same time in the community. So to call that a reprieve, it just boggles my mind,” he said at the morning news conference.
He said he was sad to report multiple structures were lost again Friday.
“Today the fire fight is on again out there,” he said.
“Normally when we fight a house fire it's contained to one structure … but these things are all wrapped up in one and it's an entire street full of houses that's on fire being faced by these firefighters.”
“That's the type of things we are facing today. Multiple structures and all of the contamination that comes along with it.”
Kelowna fire chief Travis Whiting also confirmed structural losses in his city, adding he couldn't confirm specific numbers until after homeowners had been informed.
Claire Blaker came down to the Kelowna waterfront to look across the lake, wondering if her house in the West Kelowna Estates was still standing.
Blaker, a city resident for 13 years, first visited her insurance broker to print out important policy papers, hopeful that she's covered in case of the worst.
She worried about her sister, who lives less than half a kilometre from her, and her elderly neighbours.
“You could see a number of houses on my street just kind of candling up, one house, then the next house and the next house, so I'm not sure how far down (the fire got),” she said, describing what she saw Friday night.
“It's just like, what can you do? And, I don't usually get too emotional but I definitely got some tears welling up at the evacuation centre, and you're just in shock.”
The extent of the destruction in the Okanagan was underscored by Ross Kotscherofski, chief of the North Westside Fire Rescue service.
He said some of his firefighters had seen their own homes go up in flames.
“Even though some of these members have lost their homes, they still remain dedicated to the community and they show up every single day,” he said.
Fires deemed out of control now burn on both sides of Lake Okanagan, including the devastating McDougall Creek fire that the BC Wildfire Service says covers 105 square kilometres.
Threatening Kelowna on the east side of the lake is the so-called Clifton-McKinley fire, comprised of several blazes.
But conditions were calmer than during Thursday and Friday's desperate battle against flames that consumed numerous homes and other properties, including the Lake Okanagan Resort.
Jerrad Schroeder of the BC Wildfire Service described Okanagan firefighting conditions Saturday as “subdued compared to the previous night.”
“Today would be characterized as a good firefighting day. It's a day where we can roll equipment and crews,” he said.
The last new evacuation order in the central Okanagan was issued at 9:18 p.m. on Friday, in contrast to earlier that day and late Thursday when orders poured in.
At least one evacuation order for part of the Westbank First Nation was also downgraded to an alert around midnight.
Saturday dawned cool and calm in Kelowna, with a blue sky visible through the smoky haze.
Chris Durkee and Danielle Mogdam and their five kids just returned to their Kelowna home from a trip to Alberta and thought they were safe from the fire across the lake, only to be awoken by a neighbour banging on their door to tell them a mountainside visible from their yard was on fire.
But Durkee, who has lived in Kelowna for 30 years, said they aren't panicking just yet - but they have a trailer packed and ready to go should the flames get too close.
Caution persisted among authorities too.
Interior Health recommended that 715 elderly residents be evacuated from seven care homes in West Kelowna and Kelowna. The health authority said it was up to individual operators to arrange the evacuations.
Elsewhere, a series of evacuation orders were issued for residents of the southern Interior Shuswap area Friday night, threatened by the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire and the Bush Creek fire.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District and area Indigenous nations issued evacuation orders for the Scotch Creek, Lee Creek, Celista, Magna Bay and Little River areas.
The Scotch Creek and Takana Bay bridges were closed and Scotch Creek residents were told to evacuate by boat.
The wildfire service said the lightning-triggered Lower East Adams fire on the east side of the lake had grown to 100 square kilometres, while the Bush Creek fire to the west is now 33 square kilometres.
The service said areas under evacuation alert due to the Bush Creek fire “may receive an evacuation order today” due to severe weather.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District said Friday was an “unprecedented and profoundly challenging day” as it fought the most devastating fires in its history.
A fire in the Lytton area, meanwhile, forced the evacuations of numerous properties Friday, including the closure of the Trans-Canada Highway, while the Downton Creek fire in the Gun Lake area near Lillooet destroyed homes.
There are about 380 wildfires burning across the province, including 158 that are out of control and 16 wildfires of note that are highly visible or a threat to people or properties.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2023.
Smoke from the McDougall Creek wildfire fills the air and nearly blocks out the sun as people take in the view of Okanagan Lake from Tugboat Beach, in Kelowna, B.C., Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Umar Zameer trial: jury deliberations continue
Man sets himself on fire outside Trump's trial
WATCH: Attempt carjacking and takedown
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
Watch: markham carjacking suspects chased through parking lot in video of dramatic police takedown.
- Ontario early childhood educators still waiting for promised 2024 wage increases
Police response to the Uvalde shooting was riddled with failures, new DOJ report says
- Pakistani retaliatory strikes in Iran kill at least 9, raising tensions along border
- In Davos, Israel's president calls ties with Saudi Arabia key to ending war in Gaza
Real Estate News
Here's more about Ottawa's plan to turn post offices, historic armouries into housing
- Asking rent prices in March up 8.8% from year ago, but down from February: Urbanation
- Canada needs to build 1.3M additional homes by 2030 to close housing gap, says PBO
Sports News
Leafs, Jets, Oilers and Canucks carry Canada's Cup hopes with drought at 30 years
- Injured Toronto FC star Lorenzo Insigne back running but still some weeks away
- 'Brave is unbeatable' is the theme for Canada's Olympic team in Paris
Entertainment News
Joe Alwyn, Matty Healy and Travis Kelce appear to be Taylor Swift’s latest inspirations
- Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' is here. Is it poetry? This is what experts say
- Not a toddler, not a parent, but still love 'Bluey'? You're not alone
Lifestyle News
Planned update to sperm-donor questions still unfair to gay, bisexual men: lawyer
- TikTok testing Instagram-rival app TikTok Notes in Canada
- Toronto Zoo says Jita the snow leopard is pregnant
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
Man rushed away on stretcher after fire extinguished outside Trump hush money trial
Israel, Iran play down apparent Israeli strike. The muted responses could calm tensions -- for now
Murder charge laid in death of man whose body was found in Hamilton park
Most watched.
Watch CP24 Breakfast LIVE Now
Bear cubs pulled from trees for selfies
University student disarms attacker
1 arrested after fatal stabbing in Etobicoke
British Columbia lifts most travel restrictions as Canada wildfires ease
- Medium Text
Make sense of the latest ESG trends affecting companies and governments with the Reuters Sustainable Switch newsletter. Sign up here.
Reporting by Nia Williams; Editing by Cynthia Osterman
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. New Tab , opens new tab
Business Chevron
BOJ's Ueda says 'very likely' to hike rates if inflation keeps rising
Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda said on Friday the central bank "very likely" will raise interest rates if underlying inflation continues to go up, and begin reducing its huge bond buying at some point in the future.
Be wildfire ready
BC Wildfire Service
EmergencyInfoBC
Current wildfire conditions, restrictions, and highway closures
Be wildfire ready.
Climate change is causing wildfires to get bigger, hotter, and more frequent..
The Government of B.C. is working with experts, communities, and Indigenous partners to reduce wildfire risks and protect the places we love.
If you live in an area at risk of wildfire
Report wildfires and stay up-to-date on current conditions
Visit bcwildfire.ca or download the BC Wildfire Service app.
- Where to Find Us
- Submit News Tip
- Advertise With Us
- Newsletters
- News Insiders
Non-essential travel restrictions lift for most of B.C.’s southern Interior
By James Paracy
Posted August 22, 2023 5:36 pm.
Last Updated August 23, 2023 6:17 am.
Non-essential travel restrictions have been lifted for much of B.C.’s southern Interior after devastating wildfires cleared out thousands of properties in the area.
Restrictions ended as the clock hit midnight on Wednesday, and travellers are able to return to Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, and Vernon.
The province initially issued restrictions on non-essential travel on Saturday, August 19 — when it was reported that approximately 35,000 British Columbians were on evacuation order and another 30,000 were on alert.
B.C. wildfire evacuees ‘relieved’ to find places to stay
Progress made on kelowna and okanagan wildfires: officials, nearly 200 structures destroyed by okanagan wildfires: officials.
B.C.’s Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, Bowinn Ma says West Kelowna remains an exception, however, as crews continue to battle the out-of-control McDougall Creek wildfire. She says temporary accommodation will continue to be reserved for those who need it most.
“The emergency order we put in place on Saturday has had the effect we required and thousands of hotel rooms were made available for people forced from their homes, as well as the many firefighters and emergency crews who are protecting us during the worst wildfire season in our history. Working with local governments and First Nations, we will continue to place people in the accommodations that are now available,” Ma explained.
“In recent days, B.C. experienced some of the most devastating wildfires in our history. We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who cancelled their plans to travel to the Interior in recent days, as well as to our partners in the tourism industry for their support and understanding.”
Related video:
Ma asks travellers to make their way through the province safely and avoid communities that are heavily affected by fires and continue to face challenges.
“Listen to the direction of local communities. Respect emergency orders and alerts. While many communities in the Interior are looking forward to welcoming people, others, like Lake Country and the Shuswap, are advising that now is not a good time to visit.”
Meanwhile, Highway 1 remains closed in two spots — just east of Kamloops, as well as a small section of the highway between Lytton and Hope.
Top Stories
B.C.'s Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship said the province's snowpack as of April 1 is "extremely low," with it averaging 63 per cent of normal.
Despite ongoing tension between Surrey and the province, the chief of the municipal police force says his officers are ready to move forward.
This year's wildfire season is expected to begin earlier than normal, and last longer, according to the federal government's Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan.
For the fifth summer in a row, people in Vancouver will be able to drink an adult beverage in public plazas throughout the city.
Most Watched Today
The city of Vancouver says Kits Pool will be open this summer. The plan is to open the pool just in time for the May long weekend. Monika Gul has the details.
Cannabis retailers can now apply for business licenses to operate in the city of Surrey. But as Kate Walker reports, not everyone in Surrey is excited about the changes.
The Vancouver Park Board has passed a motion to clarify existing guidelines and introduce new rules around overnight sheltering in the city's public spaces. Monika Gul has more.
The Vancouver Park Board approved an amendment to a bylaw to allow electric scooters and e-bikes on designated cycling paths in park-controlled areas of the seawall. Angela Bower has more.
Time lapse video shows the sun disappearing and then reappearing in New York's famous Times Square during the full solar eclipse.
Travel ban in parts of B.C. disrupting tourism as raging wildfires burn
The central Okanagan is facing weeks without tourism during its peak season after British Columbia's premier imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones.
Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of BC, says the travel restrictions mean many tourism operators in the region are “taking a hit,” though it's too early to quantify the damages.
“If you look at the entire 12 months of the year, August is typically the busiest month for visitors,” he said.
The ban, which was introduced Saturday under the provincial state of emergency, will be in place until Sept. 4 for hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, hostels, RV parks and campgrounds in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon.
Premier David Eby has said the decision was made to ensure accommodation is available for crews and the 30,000 people who were forced from their homes across B.C.
Realtor Raymun Khunkhun, who has lived in Kelowna for about three decades, said the ban has left streets usually teeming with visitors eerily bare.
“There's not a lot of people walking around,” he said in an interview Saturday.
“It's almost like a ghost town now out here.”
Nearby wildfires have forced the evacuation of thousands in the city and watercraft rental businesses to close their doors, leaving boats and jet skis sitting idle, bobbing on the water.
The Kelowna International Airport has also been cancelling flights since Friday to ensure aerial firefighting efforts go uninterrupted.
Khunkhun said there's not much that can be done now other than “pray for better days.”
“These streets are usually packed, like it's hard single-file walking when you're on the sidewalks, and now it's almost a little scary that it's just empty,” he said.
“Hopefully this doesn't turn into anything worse than it already is.”
- In pictures: B.C. declares state of emergency amid intense wildfires
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Lisanne Ballantyne, CEO of Tourism Kelowna, said in a statement Sunday that the ban will impact the tourism sector, but the current focus remains on the wildfire response effort.
She encouraged people to listen to evacuation orders and avoid impeding firefighting efforts.
“When able, we will move forward to recovery planning,” she said. “We have faced challenging situations before, and while none are the same, we will work through this together, rebuild and also focus on long-term resiliency.”
Judas agreed, adding the ban comes at a time when businesses were already reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, the devastating floods in 2021, and were finally expecting to bounce back.
“Many businesses are still not fully up to speed and operational after COVID. Many are still carrying a lot of debt and and don't have a full complement of staff,” he said. “The industry is taking a big hit once again.”
He added that projections showed the tourism industry's revenue was on track to be comparable with the 2019 season.
“To what degree this will affect overall tourism revenues is difficult to say,” he said.
In the meantime, Judas said the focus should remain on protecting guests, residents, the community and businesses.
The province said the travel ban does not impact other regions, but is asking people to avoid non-essential travel to the central Interior and southeast to keep roads clear for emergency-response operations and other potential evacuations.
- With files from Darryl Greer in Kelowna.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2023.
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Are you impacted by the wildfires currently blazing across British Columbia and Northwest Territories? Have you been forced to evacuate your home as a result? CTVNews.ca wants to hear from you.
Email [email protected] with your photos and videos from the ground, as well as your name, general location and phone number. Your material may be used in a CTVNews.ca story.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING | Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.
Manitoba mom praises quick-thinking fire department for freeing daughter stuck in playground equipment
A Manitoba mother is praising firefighters for their quick work in helping her daughter who got stuck at a playground in Lorette, Man.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Trudeau non-committal on funding B.C. First Nation's orca rescue efforts
The B.C. First Nation involved in the ongoing effort to rescue a stranded killer whale calf on Vancouver Island has asked the government for financial support – but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was non-committal when asked about the request Friday.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
Israel, Iran play down apparent Israeli strike. The muted responses could calm tensions -- for now
Israel and Iran on Friday both played down an apparent Israeli airstrike near a major air base and nuclear site in central Iran, signalling the two bitter enemies are ready to prevent their latest eruption of violence from escalating into a full-blown regional war.
UN warns 800,000 people in Sudan city in 'extreme, immediate danger'
Some 800,000 people in a Sudanese city are in 'extreme and immediate danger' as worsening violence advances and threatens to "unleash bloody intercommunal strife throughout Darfur," top UN officials warned the Security Council on Friday.
How to get rid of NYC rats without brutality? Birth control is one idea
New York lawmakers are proposing rules to humanely drive down the population of rats and other rodents, eyeing contraception and a ban on glue traps as alternatives to poison or a slow, brutal death.
Opening statements set for Monday in Trump's hush money case after judge rejects latest bid to delay
A full jury of 12 people and six alternates was seated Friday in Donald Trump’s hush money case, setting the stage for opening statements next week in the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president.
DEVELOPING | G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
Azerbaijan says Armenia agrees 'historic' return of four villages
Armenia has agreed to return to Azerbaijan four villages situated on their shared border, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aykhan Hajizada said on Friday.
Premiers want return to co-operation with federal government with new budget
Canada's premiers are warning the federal government not to overreach into their jurisdictions when it comes to delivering the programs laid out in Ottawa's latest budget.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
Dengue cases top 5.2 million in the Americas as outbreak passes yearly record, PAHO says
Dengue cases are surging in the Americas, with cases reported topping 5.2 million as of this week, surpassing a yearly record set in 2023, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
Olympic organizers unveil strategy for using artificial intelligence in sports
Olympic organizers unveiled their strategy Friday to use artificial intelligence in sports, joining the global rush to capitalize on the rapidly advancing technology.
This ancient snake in India might have been longer than a school bus and weighed a tonne
An ancient giant snake in India might have been longer than a school bus and weighed a tonne, researchers reported Thursday.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Entertainment
Not a toddler, not a parent, but still love 'Bluey'? You're not alone
She's the title character of 'Bluey,' a kids' program consisting of seven-minute episodes that have enraptured children and adults alike. This week's release of its longest episode yet — at a whopping 28 minutes — prompted an outpouring of appreciation for the show, even from those who are neither toddler nor parent.
Nick Offerman once spent a night high in jail after being mistaken for a robber
During a guest appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' Nick Offerman told a story from years ago he said his parents didn't know: he once spent a night in jail.
Taylor Swift drops 15 new songs on double album, 'The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology'
On Friday, the pop star released her 11th album and at 2 a.m. Eastern, she released "The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology," featuring 15 additional songs.
Lululemon to shutter Washington distribution centre, lay off 128 employees
Lululemon Athletica will close its distribution centre in the state of Washington at the end of the year and lay off more than 100 employees, the apparel retailer told Reuters on Friday.
Netflix slides as move to end sharing user count sparks growth worries
Netflix shares fell on Friday, as its surprise move to stop sharing subscriber additions and average revenue per member from 2025 sowed doubts in investor minds about growth peaking in some markets for the streaming pioneer.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
How 4/20 grew from humble roots to marijuana's high holiday
Saturday marks marijuana culture’s high holiday, 4/20, when college students gather — at 4:20 p.m. — in clouds of smoke on campus quads and pot shops in legal-weed states thank their customers with discounts.
5 ways to add joy into your meals
In this season of the podcast Chasing Life With Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent has explored the topic of weight: what it really tells you about your health, why it’s so hard to lose, how the new diet drugs work and its links to menopause (you can listen to the episodes here).
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.
Streaking Jets prepare for playoff clash with star-studded Avalanche
The Winnipeg Jets will face the Colorado Avalanche for the first time ever in the Stanley Cup Playoffs
Legendary Formula 1 driver Michael Schumacher's watch collection is going on sale
Eight of Formula One legend Michael Schumacher's luxury and personalized watches are going up for auction – and they could sell for more than US$4.8 million in total.
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck
Tesla is recalling 3,878 of its 2024 Cybertrucks after it discovered that the accelerator pedal can become stuck, potentially causing the vehicle to accelerate unintentionally and increase the risk of a crash.
London, Ont. driver charged after travelling nearly 200 km/h on Highway 401
A driver from London will have to find alternative transportation after an OPP officer clocked them travelling nearly 200 km/h on Highway 401 over the weekend.
Local Spotlight
UBC football star turning heads in lead up to NFL draft
At 6'8" and 350 pounds, there is nothing typical about UBC offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, who was born in Tonga and went to high school in Pitt Meadows.
Cat found at Pearson airport 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Molly on a mission: N.S. student collecting books about women in sport for school library
Molly Knight, a grade four student in Nova Scotia, noticed her school library did not have many books on female athletes, so she started her own book drive in hopes of changing that.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Marmot in the city: New resident of North Vancouver's Lower Lonsdale a 'rock star rodent'
When Les Robertson was walking home from the gym in North Vancouver's Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood three weeks ago, he did a double take. Standing near a burrow it had dug in a vacant lot near East 1st Street and St. Georges Avenue was a yellow-bellied marmot.
Relocated seal returns to Greater Victoria after 'astonishing' 204-kilometre trek
A moulting seal who was relocated after drawing daily crowds of onlookers in Greater Victoria has made a surprise return, after what officials described as an 'astonishing' six-day journey.
Ottawa barber shop steps away from Parliament Hill marks 100 years in business
Just steps from Parliament Hill is a barber shop that for the last 100 years has catered to everyone from prime ministers to tourists.
'It was a special game': Edmonton pinball player celebrates high score and shout out from game designer
A high score on a Foo Fighters pinball machine has Edmonton player Dave Formenti on a high.
'How much time do we have?': 'Contamination' in Prairie groundwater identified
A compound used to treat sour gas that's been linked to fertility issues in cattle has been found throughout groundwater in the Prairies, according to a new study.
Home sale contract handwritten in Chinese holds up in B.C. court
A one-page contract for the purchase of a B.C. home that was handwritten in Chinese has been deemed valid in the province's Supreme Court, leaving the would-be buyer on the hook for more than $400,000.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Mounties arrest 7 after 'significant' seizure of drugs, guns on Vancouver Island
Mounties say seven people have been arrested after a series of co-ordinated property searches on Vancouver Island yielded multiple firearms, including 3D-printed handguns, and several kilograms of drugs.
Ontario early childhood educators still waiting for promised 2024 wage increases
Ontario Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) are still waiting for their promised 2024 wage increases and advocates say the delay is causing stress for workers.
WATCH | Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
From 'barely surviving, to living': Calgary family champions local mental health supports
It seemed like their world was crashing in when free mental health services changed the lives of a Calgary family and now they are trying to help others get the same support.
Calgary man accused in toddler death released on bail
Winston Campbell granted bail at first court appearance
Voluntary water limits put in place in face of possible Alberta drought
More than three dozen of Alberta's largest water users have agreed with a provincial plan to cut back on water usage this year ahead of a severe drought expected this summer.
Tenants fighting proposed redevelopment in Centretown
As the City of Ottawa faces a housing shortage, there is controversy brewing in Centretown over a proposed redevelopment that many tenants say could leave them homeless.
Will parking remain free in Wellington West and Westboro? City studying parking options
Time could soon run out on free on-street parking in Ottawa's Westboro, Wellington West and Hintonburg neighbourhoods.
OPP reminds drone operators it's illegal to operate a drone near emergency sites following Hwy. 417 fatal crash
Ontario Provincial Police are reminding people that it is illegal to fly a drone over traffic collision sites, after drone footage captured over a fatal crash on Hwy. 417 in Ottawa appeared online.
Woman stabbed at motel in Montreal's west end
A 39-year-old woman was sent to hospital with serious injuries after police say she was stabbed inside a motel room in Montreal's west end Friday morning.
Iconic ninth floor Eaton Centre restaurant set to reopen in May
There was once a beautiful restaurant on the ninth floor of the former Eaton's department store. It closed 25 years ago, but many in Montreal still talk about it. Soon, Le 9ieme will open to diners once again.
Spit, punches and bites: School support staff detail rising violence from students
A former educational assistant is calling attention to the rising violence in Alberta's classrooms.
Grande Prairie swears in new police chief as questions swirl over need for an Alberta force
The city's transition to governing its own police force comes as Alberta's public safety minister cites concerns with the province's policing contract with the RCMP, which expires in 2032.
New report suggests Alberta's emissions reduction plan made little progress in first year
Alberta has done little to advance its plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions a year after introducing it, an analysis suggests.
Nova Scotia justice minister resigns following domestic violence comments
Brad Johns, Nova Scotia’s justice minister has resigned, according to a short statement from Premier Tim Houston on Friday evening.
'Dangerous man' with firearm in Bible Hill in custody: N.S. RCMP
The RCMP says a 'dangerous man' with a firearm in Bible Hill, N.S., is in custody Friday morning.
New Brunswick MLA Gary Crossman resigns from Blaine Higgs’ PC cabinet
Gary Crossman, New Brunswick’s minister of environment and climate change, is resigning from Blaine Higgs’ Progressive Conservative cabinet immediately.
'Like part of the family': St. Boniface burger staple back after closing down last year
Mrs. Mikes shut down last year after a half-century of serving the community. Now its doors have reopened and Winnipeggers were lined up to get their fill, even as snow fell on them.
Tiber River ceasing operations
Tiber River, a shop that sells natural body care products, is ceasing operations.
Plans to add passing lanes from Fort Qu'Appelle to Melville given the green light
Four new passing lanes are expected to be added along Highway 10 from Fort Qu’Appelle to Melville in the coming years.
NDP leader likens Wilmot farmland grab to Greenbelt scandal
A controversial land acquisition proposed in Wilmot Township is once again in the spotlight, as Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles hosts a town hall in the community, calling the deal “eerily similar” to the Greenbelt scandal.
Kitchener golfer recognized as creator of Masters skip-shot tradition
A Canadian Hall of Fame golfer from Kitchener is finally getting recognition for starting the skip-shot tradition at The Masters.
KW Glee, music school suspend employee over sexual assault charge
Two Kitchener-Waterloo music organizations have placed an employee on a leave of absence after he was charged in a historical sexual assault investigation.
Saskatoon judge to make ruling on evidence in fatal THC-impaired driving case
A Saskatoon Provincial Court judge will determine whether testimony from a woman, charged with impaired driving causing the death of a child, will be used as evidence in her trial.
Northern Ontario
Flood warning issued for Lake Nipissing shoreline in North Bay
A flood warning was issued Friday for the Lake Nipissing shoreline in North Bay, Callander and the Parks Creek watershed.
No more train trauma for Adelaide Street commuters
‘Onto Adelaide and just zip down’: Cars no longer have to deal with trains on Adelaide Street North, near Central Avenue.
Witness insists they are telling the truth at sexual abuse trial
A witness at the sexual assault trial involving parents is adamant the children involved in the trial are all telling the truth about what they had to endure during their upbringing.
City councillor says encampment response falls short and comes too late
A city councillor said she’s concerned the city is encouraging homeless encampments rather than finding more permanent solutions.
Driver charged after Highway 400 crash sends woman and child to hospital
One person has been charged following a collision on Highway 400 in Barrie Friday morning that sent a vehicle rolling into a ditch.
Break-in leaves Barrie home with considerable water damage
Police are hoping to identify the person(s) who allegedly broke into a Barrie home and caused extensive water damage.
Section of Duckworth Street in Barrie to be closed until fall
A section of Duckworth Street in Barrie's east end will be closed for several months so that crews can continue the improvement project.
'My family’s suffering still hasn’t ended': Faint hope hearing evidence concludes with victim impact statements
A Windsor man convicted in a violent murder 20 years ago awaits ruling on bid for early parole.
One driver charged, one sought after crash at apparent 'unsanctioned' rally
Windsor police have charged a 21-year-old man with stunt driving following a collision at a commercial property.
Seven Windsor record stores are the focus of a Record Store Day documentary screening
Windsor photographer and director Syx Langemann is hosting a free Record Store Day screening of his new docuseries ‘Spinning Stories’ that explores the recent resurgence in vinyl records.
Vancouver Island
Colwood, B.C., hosts hike to prepare residents for potential tsunami
In Colwood, B.C., there are 35 residential homes in the tsunami inundation zone.
Stolen snake named Milkshake returned to Kelowna pet store
A banana ball python that was stolen from a Kelowna pet store on Saturday has been returned unharmed, Mounties said.
Nurses rally at B.C. Interior hospital over security, staffing concerns
Nurses held a rally Wednesday at a hospital in the B.C. Interior that closed its emergency department more than a dozen times last year due to insufficient staff.
B.C. to add 240 complex-care housing units throughout province
British Columbia is planning to add 240 new units to its complex-care housing program, providing homes for people with mental-health and addictions challenges that overlap with other serious conditions.
Lethbridge cutting back on water use as part of provincial water sharing agreement
The province has announced the largest water sharing agreement in Alberta’s history, which will see Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, among other municipalities, cut water use.
Medicine Hat woman charged after $60K stolen from Redcliff Legion
Mounties say a 32-year-old Medicine Hat woman has been charged in connection with the theft of $60,000 from the Redcliff Legion.
Deterrent sentence possible, expert says, after trio convicted in connection to Coutts border blockade
Three men who helped lead and co-ordinate the 2022 border blockade at Coutts, Alta., have been found guilty of public mischief.
Sault Ste. Marie
Phoenix Rising looking for community partners
A Sault Ste. Marie-based support group for women is hoping to work with other groups to provide more inclusive services.
Sault College president sues Conestoga counterpart, seeks formal apology for vulgar attack
The war of words between the presidents of Sault College and Conestoga College has escalated into a legal battle.
Sault police ticket driver travelling nearly double the speed limit
A 43-year-old has been charged in Sault Ste. Marie after police recorded a vehicle being driven at 113 km/h, nearly double the posted speed limit.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
500 Newfoundlanders wound up on the same cruise and it turned into a rocking kitchen party
A Celebrity Apex cruise to the Caribbean this month turned into a rocking Newfoundland kitchen party when hundreds of people from Canada's easternmost province happened to be booked on the same ship.
Protest averted as Newfoundland and Labrador premier helps reach pricing deal on crab
A pricing agreement has been reached between crab fishers and seafood processors that will allow for Newfoundland and Labrador's annual crab fishery to get started.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Editor's Picks
17 practical things for your backyard that you'll want to order immediately, 19 of the best mother's day gifts under $50, here are the best deals you'll find on amazon canada right now, our guide to the best inflatable hot tubs in canada in 2024 (and where to get them), 21 of the best dog products you can get on amazon canada right now, our guide to the best coolers in canada in 2024 (and where to get them), 17 unique mother's day gifts your mom definitely wants, but probably won’t buy herself, if your mom needs a bit of rest and relaxation, here are 20 of the best self-care gifts for mother's day, 20 gifts that are so great, you'll want to keep them for yourself, 12 travel-sized skincare products that'll fit in your toiletry bag, 15 wrinkle-smoothing serums that’ll help reduce the appearance of fine lines, this canadian red light therapy brand is here to give you your best skin ever, stay connected.
Travel ban in parts of B.C. disrupting tourism as raging wildfires burn
David Eby says the decision was made to ensure accommodation is available for crews and the 30,000 or more people who were forced from their homes across B.C.
Author of the article:
You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account.
Article content
KELOWNA — The central Okanagan is facing weeks without tourism during its peak season after British Columbia’s premier imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones.
Travel ban in parts of B.C. disrupting tourism as raging wildfires burn Back to video
Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of B.C., says the travel restrictions mean many tourism operators in the region are “taking a hit,” though it’s too early to quantify the damages.
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.
- Get exclusive access to the Vancouver Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.
- Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.
- Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.
- Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
Sign In or Create an Account
“If you look at the entire 12 months of the year, August is typically the busiest month for visitors,” he said.
The ban, which was introduced Saturday under the provincial state of emergency, will be in place until Sept. 4 for hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, hostels, RV parks and campgrounds in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon.
Premier David Eby has said the decision was made to ensure accommodation is available for crews and the 30,000 people who were forced from their homes across B.C.
Realtor Raymun Khunkhun, who has lived in Kelowna for about three decades, said the ban has left streets usually teeming with visitors eerily bare.
“There’s not a lot of people walking around,” he said in an interview Saturday.
“It’s almost like a ghost town now out here.”
Nearby wildfires have forced the evacuation of thousands in the city and watercraft rental businesses to close their doors, leaving boats and personal watercraft sitting idle, bobbing on the water.
The Kelowna International Airport has also been cancelling flights since Friday to ensure aerial firefighting efforts go uninterrupted.
Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion.
- There was an error, please provide a valid email address.
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.
The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox.
We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again
Khunkhun said there’s not much that can be done now other than “pray for better days.”
“These streets are usually packed, like it’s hard single-file walking when you’re on the sidewalks, and now it’s almost a little scary that it’s just empty,” he said.
“Hopefully this doesn’t turn into anything worse than it already is.”
Lisanne Ballantyne, CEO of Tourism Kelowna, said in a statement Sunday that the ban will impact the tourism sector, but the current focus remains on the wildfire response effort.
She encouraged people to listen to evacuation orders and avoid impeding firefighting efforts.
“When able, we will move forward to recovery planning,” she said. “We have faced challenging situations before, and while none are the same, we will work through this together, rebuild and also focus on long-term resiliency.”
Judas agreed, adding the ban comes at a time when businesses were already reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, the devastating floods in 2021, and were finally expecting to bounce back.
“Many businesses are still not fully up to speed and operational after COVID. Many are still carrying a lot of debt and don’t have a full complement of staff,” he said. “The industry is taking a big hit once again.”
He added that projections showed the tourism industry’s revenue was on track to be comparable with the 2019 season.
“To what degree this will affect overall tourism revenues is difficult to say,” he said.
In the meantime, Judas said the focus should remain on protecting guests, residents, the community and businesses.
The province said the travel ban does not impact other regions, but is asking people to avoid non-essential travel to the central Interior and southeast to keep roads clear for emergency-response operations and other potential evacuations.
A look at the number of wildfires and evacuations in B.C.
Size of Bush Creek East fire on west side of Adams Lake: 410 square kilometres
Size of McDougall Creek fire in West Kelowna: 110 square kilometres
Size of Kookipi Creek fire near Lytton: 105 square kilometres
Estimated total number of people under evacuation orders: 30,000 or more
Estimated number of people under evacuation alerts: 36,000
Number of firefighters working in West Kelowna: 500
Population of West Kelowna: approximately 38,000 people
Number of central Okanagan properties ordered to evacuate: about 10,700
Number of central Okanagan properties on evacuation alert: about 9,500
Number of structures damaged or destroyed: “Significant”
Number of wildfires burning in B.C.: 382
Number of B.C. wildfires considered “of note” because they are highly visible or threatening public safety: 14
— with files from Darryl Greer in Kelowna
Summer subscription sale: Our in-depth journalism is possible thanks to the support of our subscribers. For a limited time, you can get full online access to the Vancouver Sun and The Province, along with the National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites, for just $40 for one year or $1 a week for 52 weeks. Support our journalism by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province .
Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information.
West Vancouver's landmark Sky House is for sale. See the photos and views
Katherine Brodsky: Owning an electric vehicle is madness and I regret ever buying one
Douglas todd: billionaire owner of three b.c. malls bares soul on china, scandals and her ‘horrific’ upbringing.
Opinion: Nothing lasts forever, including my East Vancouver neighbourhood. Here's to the memories
Owner of Burnaby's Metrotown mall wants to build 15 highrises on its site
This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here . By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .
You've reached the 20 article limit.
You can manage saved articles in your account.
and save up to 100 articles!
Looks like you've reached your saved article limit!
You can manage your saved articles in your account and clicking the X located at the bottom right of the article.
You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.
B.C. orders fire-zone travel bans as evacuations soar
British Columbia imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones on Saturday after evacuee numbers doubled to 30,000 or more, marking another day of dramatic developments in the province’s desperate battle against hundreds of blazes.
The epicentre of the fight is the Okanagan in the southern Interior, where fire chiefs hailed the efforts of an “army” of firefighters trying to hold off fires looming over the lakeside communities of West Kelowna and Kelowna.
West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund painted a vivid picture of what his fire crews were facing on Saturday, including multiple simultaneous house fires and a “street full” of homes ablaze.
Yet he said the situation represented a reprieve compared to the pitched battles being fought the day before, something he described as “mind-boggling.”
B.C. Premier David Eby said the sheer scale of the evacuations prompted the government to issue an order restricting travel to fire-affected areas to ensure accommodation was available for evacuees and emergency personnel.
He told a news briefing the order restricts non-essential travel for the purpose of staying in temporary accommodation such as a hotel, motel or campground.
The Province is introducing a new order under the provincial state of emergency. Under this order, effective today until end of day on Sept. 4, 2023, people may not travel to stay in temporary accommodations for non-essential purposes in several communities. This includes hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts, hostels, RV parks, and campgrounds.
This order applies to temporary accommodation in the following cities:
- Kelowna-West Kelowna;
- Penticton; and
Eby put evacuee numbers at 35,000, although Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said it was 30,000, with a further 36,000 on evacuation alert.
Evacuee numbers stood at 15,000 late Friday when Eby announced a provincewide state of emergency in response to the fires.
Ma said the latest order, effective immediately until Sept. 4, restricted travel for anyone planning to stay in temporary accommodation in Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon.
“Let me be clear. Temporary accommodation in the areas I have listed are no longer available for non-essential visits,” she said, adding would-be tourists need to “change your plans.”
People already in accommodations were being asked to check out early, she said. The order excludes travel for medical reasons, funerals and a range of other activities.
Eby also said Solicitor General Mike Farnworth had authorized emergency provisions to allow municipal RCMP resources to be deployed to evacuated areas and secure empty properties.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office issued a statement on Saturday saying he convened the incident response group — made up of ministers and senior officials — to discuss the wildfire situation in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.
The group agreed on the importance of making additional resources available to both jurisdictions and “working closely with all orders of government in order to support Canadians,” the statement read.
Trudeau also discussed the provincial situation with Eby, his office said in a separate release, noting he pledged to provide all necessary aid from the federal government.
In the Okanagan, West Kelowna fire chief Brolund said firefighters continued to face multiple structure fires.
But he said the previous night’s battle got a boost from calmer and cooler conditions.
He said there were “real successes” overnight thanks to the efforts of about 200 firefighters battling the destructive McDougall Creek wildfire.
“We were still fighting tens, multiple structure fires at the same time in the community. So to call that a reprieve, it just boggles my mind,” he said at the morning news conference.
He said he was sad to report multiple structures were lost again Friday.
“Today the fire fight is on again out there,” he said.
“Normally when we fight a house fire it’s contained to one structure … but these things are all wrapped up in one and it’s an entire street full of houses that’s on fire being faced by these firefighters.”
“That’s the type of things we are facing today. Multiple structures and all of the contamination that comes along with it.”
Kelowna fire chief Travis Whiting also confirmed structural losses in his city, adding he couldn’t confirm specific numbers until after homeowners had been informed.
Claire Blaker came down to the Kelowna waterfront to look across the lake, wondering if her house in the West Kelowna Estates was still standing.
Blaker, a city resident for 13 years, first visited her insurance broker to print out important policy papers, hopeful that she’s covered in case of the worst.
She worried about her sister, who lives less than half a kilometre from her, and her elderly neighbours.
“You could see a number of houses on my street just kind of candling up, one house, then the next house and the next house, so I’m not sure how far down (the fire got),” she said, describing what she saw Friday night.
“It’s just like, what can you do? And, I don’t usually get too emotional but I definitely got some tears welling up at the evacuation centre, and you’re just in shock.”
The extent of the destruction in the Okanagan was underscored by Ross Kotscherofski, chief of the North Westside Fire Rescue service.
He said some of his firefighters had seen their own homes go up in flames.
“Even though some of these members have lost their homes, they still remain dedicated to the community and they show up every single day,” he said.
Fires deemed out of control now burn on both sides of Lake Okanagan, including the devastating McDougall Creek fire that the BC Wildfire Service says covers 105 square kilometres.
Threatening Kelowna on the east side of the lake is the so-called Clifton-McKinley fire, comprised of several blazes.
But conditions were calmer than during Thursday and Friday’s desperate battle against flames that consumed numerous homes and other properties, including the Lake Okanagan Resort.
Jerrad Schroeder of the BC Wildfire Service described Okanagan firefighting conditions Saturday as “subdued compared to the previous night.”
“Today would be characterized as a good firefighting day. It’s a day where we can roll equipment and crews,” he said.
The last new evacuation order in the central Okanagan was issued at 9:18 p.m. on Friday, in contrast to earlier that day and late Thursday when orders poured in.
At least one evacuation order for part of the Westbank First Nation was also downgraded to an alert around midnight.
Saturday dawned cool and calm in Kelowna, with a blue sky visible through the smoky haze.
Chris Durkee and Danielle Mogdam and their five kids just returned to their Kelowna home from a trip to Alberta and thought they were safe from the fire across the lake, only to be awoken by a neighbour banging on their door to tell them a mountainside visible from their yard was on fire.
But Durkee, who has lived in Kelowna for 30 years, said they aren’t panicking just yet — but they have a trailer packed and ready to go should the flames get too close.
Caution persisted among authorities too.
Interior Health recommended that 715 elderly residents be evacuated from seven care homes in West Kelowna and Kelowna. The health authority said it was up to individual operators to arrange the evacuations.
Elsewhere, a series of evacuation orders were issued for residents of the southern Interior Shuswap area Friday night, threatened by the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire and the Bush Creek fire.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District and area Indigenous nations issued evacuation orders for the Scotch Creek, Lee Creek, Celista, Magna Bay and Little River areas.
The Scotch Creek and Takana Bay bridges were closed and Scotch Creek residents were told to evacuate by boat.
The wildfire service said the lightning-triggered Lower East Adams fire on the east side of the lake had grown to 100 square kilometres, while the Bush Creek fire to the west is now 33 square kilometres.
The service said areas under evacuation alert due to the Bush Creek fire “may receive an evacuation order today” due to severe weather.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District said Friday was an “unprecedented and profoundly challenging day” as it fought the most devastating fires in its history.
A fire in the Lytton area, meanwhile, forced the evacuations of numerous properties Friday, including the closure of the Trans-Canada Highway, while the Downton Creek fire in the Gun Lake area near Lillooet destroyed homes.
There are about 380 wildfires burning across the province, including 158 that are out of control and 16 wildfires of note that are highly visible or a threat to people or properties.
(The Canadian Press).
What Matters
- Member Login
- British Columbia
- Local Sports
- Vernon Vipers
- Contest Rules
- Everything Lifestyle
- Sponsored Content
- BOB Awards 2024
- Upcoming Concerts
- Community Airtime Award
- Advertise With Us
- Pete McIntyre
- Liam Verster
- Legal Notice
- Privacy Policy
- Accessibility
- Recently Played
- Brian & Rebecca
- Charlee Morgan
- Jason Armstrong
- Carla Rider
- Your Profile
- Your Subscriptions
- Support Local News
- Payment History
- Sign up for Daily Headlines
- Sign up for Notifications
B.C. orders fire-zone travel bans as evacuations soar
- Share by Email
- Share on Facebook
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share via Text Message
KELOWNA — British Columbia imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones on Saturday after evacuee numbers doubled to 30,000 or more, marking another day of dramatic developments in the province's desperate battle against hundreds of blazes.
The epicentre of the fight is the Okanagan in the southern Interior, where fire chiefs hailed the efforts of an "army" of firefighters trying to hold off fires looming over the lakeside communities of West Kelowna and Kelowna.
West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund painted a vivid picture of what his fire crews were facing on Saturday, including multiple simultaneous housefires and a "street full" of homes ablaze.
Yet he said the situation represented a reprieve compared to the pitched battles being fought the day before, something he described as "mind-boggling."
B.C. Premier David Eby said the sheer scale of the evacuations prompted the government to issue an order restricting travel to fire-affected areas to ensure accommodation was available for evacuees and emergency personnel.
He told a news briefing the order restricts non-essential travel for the purpose of staying in temporary accommodation such as a hotel, motel or campground.
Eby put evacuee numbers at 35,000, although Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said it was 30,000, with a further 36,000 on evacuation alert.
Evacuee numbers stood at 15,000 late Friday when Eby announced a provincewide state of emergency in response to the fires.
Ma said the latest order, effective immediately until Sept. 4, restricted travel for anyone planning to stay in temporary accommodation in Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon.
“Let me be clear. Temporary accommodation in the areas I have listed are no longer available for non-essential visits,” she said, adding would-be tourists need to "change your plans."
People already in accommodations were being asked to check out early, she said. The order excludes travel for medical reasons, funerals and a range of other activities.
Eby also said Solicitor General Mike Farnworth had authorized emergency provisions to allow municipal RCMP resources to be deployed to evacuated areas and secure empty properties.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office issued a statement on Saturday saying he convened the incident response group — made up of ministers and senior officials — to discuss the wildfire situation in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.
The group agreed on the importance of making additional resources available to both jurisdictions and "working closely with all orders of government in order to support Canadians," the statement read.
Trudeau also discussed the provincial situation with Eby, his office said in a separate release, noting he pledged to provide all necessary aid from the federal government.
In the Okanagan, West Kelowna fire chief Brolund said firefighters continued to face multiple structure fires.
But he said the previous night's battle got a boost from calmer and cooler conditions.
He said there were "real successes" overnight thanks to the efforts of about 200 firefighters battling the destructive McDougall Creek wildfire.
“We were still fighting tens, multiple structure fires at the same time in the community. So to call that a reprieve, it just boggles my mind,” he said at the morning news conference.
He said he was sad to report multiple structures were lost again Friday.
“Today the fire fight is on again out there," he said.
“Normally when we fight a house fire it’s contained to one structure … but these things are all wrapped up in one and it’s an entire street full of houses that’s on fire being faced by these firefighters.”
“That’s the type of things we are facing today. Multiple structures and all of the contamination that comes along with it.”
Kelowna fire chief Travis Whiting also confirmed structural losses in his city, adding he couldn't confirm specific numbers until after homeowners had been informed.
Claire Blaker came down to the Kelowna waterfront to look across the lake, wondering if her house in the West Kelowna Estates was still standing.
Blaker, a city resident for 13 years, first visited her insurance broker to print out important policy papers, hopeful that she’s covered in case of the worst.
She worried about her sister, who lives less than half a kilometre from her, and her elderly neighbours.
“You could see a number of houses on my street just kind of candling up, one house, then the next house and the next house, so I’m not sure how far down (the fire got),” she said, describing what she saw Friday night.
“It’s just like, what can you do? And, I don’t usually get too emotional but I definitely got some tears welling up at the evacuation centre, and you’re just in shock.”
The extent of the destruction in the Okanagan was underscored by Ross Kotscherofski, chief of the North Westside Fire Rescue service.
He said some of his firefighters had seen their own homes go up in flames.
“Even though some of these members have lost their homes, they still remain dedicated to the community and they show up every single day,” he said.
Fires deemed out of control now burn on both sides of Lake Okanagan, including the devastating McDougall Creek fire that the BC Wildfire Service says covers 105 square kilometres.
Threatening Kelowna on the east side of the lake is the so-called Clifton-McKinley fire, comprised of several blazes.
But conditions were calmer than during Thursday and Friday's desperate battle against flames that consumed numerous homes and other properties, including the Lake Okanagan Resort.
Jerrad Schroeder of the BC Wildfire Service described Okanagan firefighting conditions Saturday as “subdued compared to the previous night."
"Today would be characterized as a good firefighting day. It’s a day where we can roll equipment and crews,” he said.
The last new evacuation order in the central Okanagan was issued at 9:18 p.m. on Friday, in contrast to earlier that day and late Thursday when orders poured in.
At least one evacuation order for part of the Westbank First Nation was also downgraded to an alert around midnight.
Saturday dawned cool and calm in Kelowna, with a blue sky visible through the smoky haze.
Chris Durkee and Danielle Mogdam and their five kids just returned to their Kelowna home from a trip to Alberta and thought they were safe from the fire across the lake, only to be awoken by a neighbour banging on their door to tell them a mountainside visible from their yard was on fire.
But Durkee, who has lived in Kelowna for 30 years, said they aren’t panicking just yet — but they have a trailer packed and ready to go should the flames get too close.
Caution persisted among authorities too.
Interior Health recommended that 715 elderly residents be evacuated from seven care homes in West Kelowna and Kelowna. The health authority said it was up to individual operators to arrange the evacuations.
Elsewhere, a series of evacuation orders were issued for residents of the southern Interior Shuswap area Friday night, threatened by the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire and the Bush Creek fire.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District and area Indigenous nations issued evacuation orders for the Scotch Creek, Lee Creek, Celista, Magna Bay and Little River areas.
The Scotch Creek and Takana Bay bridges were closed and Scotch Creek residents were told to evacuate by boat.
The wildfire service said the lightning-triggered Lower East Adams fire on the east side of the lake had grown to 100 square kilometres, while the Bush Creek fire to the west is now 33 square kilometres.
The service said areas under evacuation alert due to the Bush Creek fire "may receive an evacuation order today" due to severe weather.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District said Friday was an "unprecedented and profoundly challenging day" as it fought the most devastating fires in its history.
A fire in the Lytton area, meanwhile, forced the evacuations of numerous properties Friday, including the closure of the Trans-Canada Highway, while the Downton Creek fire in the Gun Lake area near Lillooet destroyed homes.
There are about 380 wildfires burning across the province, including 158 that are out of control and 16 wildfires of note that are highly visible or a threat to people or properties.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2023.
Darryl Greer, The Canadian Press
- See a typo/mistake?
- Have a story/tip?
This has been shared 0 times
Is burnaby's local news important to you, get your daily burnaby news briefing, more politics.
Up to 200 buildings estimated destroyed by Okanagan wildfires, fire chiefs say
Wildfire travel restrictions to b.c. interior to be lifted wednesday with exception of west kelowna.
Social Sharing
UPDATE: B.C. officials look ahead to recovery, rebuilding efforts as residents reckon with losses from wildfires
If the power or data on your device is low, you can get wildfire updates on CBC Lite, our low-bandwidth, text-only website.
The latest on the wildfires:
- Latest estimates suggest almost 90 structures were destroyed or damaged in West Kelowna and the Westbank First Nation, and almost 100 in the North Westside region to the north.
- Three homes were lost in Kelowna and another three in neighbouring Lake Country.
- The B.C. premier, along with provincial forests and emergencies ministers, met Tuesday with evacuees from the southern Interior, some of whom criticized the province's wildfire fighting strategy.
- Wildfire-related travel orders to the B.C. Interior — except for West Kelowna — will be lifted at midnight Wednesday .
- In the Shuswap region, wildfire fighters say their equipment has been removed or tampered with .
- Learn more about how to find the full list of wildfires, highway closures and evacuation orders and alerts .
The latest estimates from fire chiefs in B.C.'s Central Okanagan region suggest almost 200 buildings have been destroyed in aggressive wildfires that swept through West Kelowna and the surrounding area last week.
Almost 90 structures in the City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation were fully or partially destroyed by an aggressive wildfire that swept across the region last week, and more than 3,000 were unaffected by the flames.
West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund provided the latest numbers at a news conference Tuesday morning, saying crews believe almost 70 properties in the city and almost 20 in the First Nation were affected, although a full assessment of the damage is still underway.
At the same news conference, North Westside Fire Chief Ross Kotcherofski estimated almost 100 structures have been lost to wildfire in his jurisdiction, which lies north of West Kelowna, but stressed he didn't want to provide more numbers while assessments are still being done.
On the east side of Okanagan Lake, wildfires destroyed three homes and two outbuildings in Kelowna, and another three homes in Lake Country to the north of the city, officials confirmed Tuesday.
Brolund warned residents to prepare themselves to witness the extent of the destruction as wildfire smoke is expected to lift.
"The mountains around our community are going to look different. We haven't seen them since the fire. The difference will be dramatic."
He said firefighters have made good progress on protecting homes from the destructive McDougall Creek wildfire in the past 24 hours, and working to get it contained.
"We're making progress. Things are getting better. We're going to get this thing across the finish line."
.jpg?crop=1.777xh:h;*,*&downsize=510px:*510w)
Fire chief says West Kelowna homeowners thanking crews via doorbell cams
He described Monday night as "calm but very busy" for firefighters, who had to deal with about two dozen spot fires and saved one home from burning after a nearby wood pile caught fire.
The fires in the area have been grouped together as the Grouse Complex wildfires.
Brad Litke, B.C. Wildfire Service's incident commander for the complex, said at Tuesday's news conference that lighter winds are expected through the day, but thunderstorms are possible, which could complicate firefighting efforts.
He said wildfire smoke is still making it difficult to determine the exact size of the McDougall Creek fire, but the current estimate is 120 square kilometres.
West Kelowna man watched video footage of his home burn taken by neighbour's doorbell camera
Travel restrictions to end.
Officials said Monday there are about 27,000 people in the province under evacuation order due to ongoing wildfires, with another 35,000 people under alert to evacuate on short notice.
On Tuesday, B.C. Premier David Eby visited the Shuswap and Okanagan regions of B.C. to meet residents affected by the fires.
The premier surveyed the damage along with Forests Minister Bruce Ralston and Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma.
At a news conference in West Kelowna, Ma announced that most wildfire-related travel restrictions in the B.C. Interior will end at midnight Wednesday, with the exception of West Kelowna.
The order, issued on Aug. 19 , had prevented tourists from using hotels, motels, RV parks and other temporary accommodations in Kelowna and West Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon, so they could be utilized by the province.
The minister said the order has had its desired effect, with space being made available for first responders, evacuees, and support staff.
"We have heard from communities like West Kelowna, in particular, Lake Country, and the Shuswap that now is not the time to visit them," Ma said, adding that travellers should still check emergency orders before making plans.
Some smoke warnings lift
Firefighters made good progress on many fires on Monday amid favourable weather conditions, while a tropical storm that ripped through Mexico and the southwest United States Tuesday was predicted to bring rain to the province, but also winds.
- How to find the latest wildfire news and evacuation information in B.C.
- Kelowna tourism operator fled 2 wildfires in 8 years. He now fears for future of business
- How to get ready for a wildfire evacuation on short notice
"We're hopeful it will bring some measurable precipitation to areas that really need it," said Sarah Budd, a wildfire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS), on Monday.
"The sort of flipside of that is that it could increase some of the winds and change wind directions through parts of the Okanagan.
"As we always say, we don't have a crystal ball, and that weather pattern is a little uncertain where the winds will be going."
Critical firefighting equipment stolen, says wildfire information officer
Smoky skies continued to blanket much of B.C. because of the wildfires although it was forecast to lift in some areas Tuesday.
In Metro Vancouver, an air quality advisory that had covered most of the area since Saturday was lifted. The regional district said in a statement that a change in weather had reduced the amount of fine particulate matter in the air, but officials have warned that smoke-related air quality problems could return at any time.
Highways closed
Wildfires are also affecting several travel corridors: Highway 1 is closed in at least two spots, between Lytton and Hope in the Fraser Canyon, and between Chase and Sorrento in the Shuswap.
Other travel advisories:
- Highway 97, in both directions, just south of Coldstream to Peachland.
- Highway 97, in both directions, six kilometres north of Vernon to three kilometres south of Osoyoos.
- Highway 5A, in both directions, between Old Kamloops Road and Roche Lake Road for 13 kilometres south of Kamloops.
DriveBC has a full listing of all road closures and travel advisories.
New evacuation orders from Lytton First Nation
On Tuesday evening, the Lytton First Nation issued expanded evacuation orders for eight First Nation reserves due to the Stein Mountain wildfire.
Numerous areas around Lytton — which itself is on evacuation alert — are on emergency orders from the Fraser Valley Regional District, Thompson-Nicola Regional District, Lytton First Nation, Skuppah Indian Band and Kanaka Bar Indian Band.
That is due to both the Stein Mountain wildfire burning northwest of the community, and the Kookipi Creek wildfire burning south of the village in the Fraser Canyon.
- The BCWS is trying to dispel rumours that its activities in the Shuswap region caused two aggressive fires to merge last week.
- Volunteers are venturing into evacuation areas to rescue pets and reunite them with their owners.
- A man who lost his dream home to fire in the Shuswap region is sharing his story .
- A Kelowna tourism operator says he fears for the future of his business after fleeing two wildfires in eight years.
- All standard homeowner and tenant insurance policies cover damage caused by fires , according to insurers.
- Here's how you can protect yourself from the impacts of wildfire smoke .
Kelowna kangaroo farm closes doors amid provincial state of emergency
Anyone placed under an evacuation order should leave the area immediately.
Evacuation centres have been set up throughout the province to assist anyone evacuating from a community under threat from a wildfire.
To find the centre closest to you, visit the EmergencyInfoBC website.
Evacuees are encouraged to register with Emergency Support Services online , whether or not they access services at an evacuation centre.
Do you have a story to share?
If you've been affected by the B.C. wildfires and want to share your story, email [email protected] .
With files from Bethany Lindsay, Randi-Marie Adams, Chad Pawson and The Canadian Press
Related Stories
- Top stories from British Columbia
- Provincial regulator orders Granville College to refund $10K after misleading an international student
- Lolita the orca dies in Miami after more than 50 years in captivity
- B.C.'s premier urges Meta to allow news sharing amid wildfire crisis
EmergencyInfoBC
This event has ended. Information on this page will not be updated.
Provincial State of Emergency Expired: Sept. 14, 2023.
The Provincial State of Emergency issued by the Province of BC on August 18, 2023, expired at the end of day Thursday, September 14, 2023 (Pacific time).
Links & Resources
For current wildfire evacuation information, visit EmergencyInfoBC.ca . For wildfire locations and response information, visit BCWildfire.ca .
- Guidance for wildfire evacuees
- Travel and highway wildfire impacts from DriveBC
- Information on how to prepare for wildfires from PreparedBC
- Skip to main content
- Skip to main navigation
- Accessibility Statement
More topics
- Cariboo Fire Centre
- Coastal Fire Centre
- Kamloops Fire Centre
- Northwest Fire Centre
- Prince George Fire Centre
- Southeast Fire Centre
Open burning
- Forest Use Restrictions
- Drones and UAVs
- Burn Registration
Always check with local authorities and weather conditions before lighting a fire of any size.
Open burning—or burning outdoors—is allowed when the wildfire risk is low and can be a useful tool when conducted responsibly. Even if there are no provincial open burning prohibitions in place, check with local government authorities for any other open burning restrictions.
On this page
- Category 1 campfires
Category 2 open fire
Category 3 open fire, category 4 resource management open fire.
- What to do before you burn , including burn registration
Regulations and fines
British Columbia is large and geographically diverse province. For that reason, decisions on when and where to implement fire bans and restriction s are made by B.C.’s six regional fire centres.
Multiple factors are taken into consideration when assessing wildfire hazards and deciding whether to implement an open fire prohibition, including: current and forecasted weather conditions; the availability of firefighting resources and the Buildup Index (BUI).
Open burning includes category 1 campfire, category 2 and category 3 open fire and category 4 resource management open fire.
Category 1 campfire
A campfire is defined as:
- Any fire no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide (a fire larger than this is considered a Category 2 fire).
- Used by any person for recreational purposes or by a First Nation for a ceremonial purpose.
View the category 1 campfire poster (PDF, 4.6MB) or the category 1 campfire brochure (PDF, 5.4MB) for information on responsible campfire use.
Avoid having a campfire when it's windy, choose a proper fire pit or make a ring of rocks at least three metres from trees, shrubs, structures and debris, and do not leave a campfire unattended for ANY amount of time.
This category refers to fires, other than a campfire, that burn:
- Material in one pile not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width
- Material concurrently in 2 piles each not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width
- Stubble or grass over an area that does not exceed 0.2 hectares
View the category 2 open fire poster (PDF, 11.1MB) or the category 2 open fire brochure (PDF, 14.4MB) for more information on safe open burning practices.
This category means an open fire that burns:
- Material concurrently in 3 or more piles each not exceeding 2 metres in height and 3 metres in width
- Material in one or more piles each exceeding 2 metres in height or 3 metres in width
- One or more windrows, none of which exceed 200 metres in length or 15 metres in width
- Stubble or grass over an area exceeding 0.2 hectares
View the category 3 open fire poster (PDF, 6MB) for more information on safe open burning practices.
This category refers to prescribed fire . Prescribed fire describes the deliberate use of fire to achieve a range of land stewardship objectives. It can help reduce the intensity of naturally occurring wildfires while returning an integral process to the land base.
These fires can take many months or even several years to plan, depending on the size, complexity and objectives the proponent is trying to achieve.
Common objectives include:
- Public safety and wildfire risk reduction
- Improved wildlife habitat
- Revitalized vegetation and ecosystem health
You can learn more about prescribed fire in B.C. at prescribedfire.ca .
Before you burn
Before lighting a fire, even if the burn category is not currently prohibited, ensure you are properly prepared, aware of the conditions and following open burning regulations:
- Establish a fuel break around your Category 2 or 3 burn or fire guard around your campfire.
- Ensure someone is always monitoring the fire so it doesn't spread beyond its intended size. At least one person equipped with a fire-fighting hand tool must monitor the fire at all times.
- Do not burning when venting conditions are "Poor" or "Fair"
Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1 888 797-1717. These numbers are logged into the Open Fire Tracking System (OFTS) along with details about the registered burn.
Unsure if you need to register your burn? Want to know what your legal obligations are when open burning? Learn more about registering a burn.
More information on open fire regulations and safe fire use is available in the Industrial & Resource Management Burning pamphlet (PDF, 215KB) or the Open Burning Practices for Farmers and Ranchers factsheet (PDF, 2.1MB) .
Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a violation ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of up to $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs. Violators could also be held responsible for damages to Crown resources, which could be significant. Read more about the Wildfire Act and Regulation .
Why doesn’t the BC Wildfire Service just ban all open burning during the spring and summer?
Fire is a very useful tool when used responsibly, so it doesn’t make sense to ban all forms of burning when the wildfire risk is low. During the spring, farmers and ranchers may conduct controlled burns for agricultural purposes and the forestry industry conducts “slash” burning to remove wood debris left behind after timber harvesting. British Columbia is also renowned for its great outdoors and many enjoy campfires while camping in B.C.’s parks and recreation sites. Many tourism operators also offer wilderness experiences that include campfires.
Anyone lighting a Category 3 fire must first obtain a burn registration number by calling 1 888 797-1717 or emailing [email protected] .
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone.
Related information
- Venting Index
- Fire Danger Rating
The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.
- Eat & Drink
- Things To Do
- Home & Garden
- Movers and Makers
- Celebrities
- Movies & TV
B.C. orders fire-zone travel bans as evacuations soar
By Darryl Greer in Kelowna
British Columbia imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones on Saturday after evacuee numbers doubled to 30,000 or more, marking another day of dramatic developments in the province's desperate battle against hundreds of blazes.
The epicentre of the fight is the Okanagan in the southern Interior, where fire chiefs hailed the efforts of an "army" of firefighters trying to hold off fires looming over the lakeside communities of West Kelowna and Kelowna.
West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund painted a vivid picture of what his fire crews were facing on Saturday, including multiple simultaneous housefires and a "street full" of homes ablaze.
Yet he said the situation represented a reprieve compared to the pitched battles being fought the day before, something he described as "mind-boggling."
B.C. Premier David Eby said the sheer scale of the evacuations prompted the government to issue an order restricting travel to fire-affected areas to ensure accommodation was available for evacuees and emergency personnel.
He told a news briefing the order restricts non-essential travel for the purpose of staying in temporary accommodation such as a hotel, motel or campground.
Eby put evacuee numbers at 35,000, although Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma said it was 30,000, with a further 36,000 on evacuation alert.
Evacuee numbers stood at 15,000 late Friday when Eby announced a provincewide state of emergency in response to the fires.
Ma said the latest order, effective immediately until Sept. 4, restricted travel for anyone planning to stay in temporary accommodation in Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon.
“Let me be clear. Temporary accommodation in the areas I have listed are no longer available for non-essential visits,” she said, adding would-be tourists need to "change your plans."
People already in accommodations were being asked to check out early, she said. The order excludes travel for medical reasons, funerals and a range of other activities.
Eby also said Solicitor General Mike Farnworth had authorized emergency provisions to allow municipal RCMP resources to be deployed to evacuated areas and secure empty properties.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's office issued a statement on Saturday saying he convened the incident response group — made up of ministers and senior officials — to discuss the wildfire situation in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories.
The group agreed on the importance of making additional resources available to both jurisdictions and "working closely with all orders of government in order to support Canadians," the statement read.
Trudeau also discussed the provincial situation with Eby, his office said in a separate release, noting he pledged to provide all necessary aid from the federal government.
In the Okanagan, West Kelowna fire chief Brolund said firefighters continued to face multiple structure fires.
But he said the previous night's battle got a boost from calmer and cooler conditions.
He said there were "real successes" overnight thanks to the efforts of about 200 firefighters battling the destructive McDougall Creek wildfire.
“We were still fighting tens, multiple structure fires at the same time in the community. So to call that a reprieve, it just boggles my mind,” he said at the morning news conference.
He said he was sad to report multiple structures were lost again Friday.
“Today the fire fight is on again out there," he said.
“Normally when we fight a house fire it’s contained to one structure … but these things are all wrapped up in one and it’s an entire street full of houses that’s on fire being faced by these firefighters.”
“That’s the type of things we are facing today. Multiple structures and all of the contamination that comes along with it.”
Kelowna fire chief Travis Whiting also confirmed structural losses in his city, adding he couldn't confirm specific numbers until after homeowners had been informed.
Claire Blaker came down to the Kelowna waterfront to look across the lake, wondering if her house in the West Kelowna Estates was still standing.
Blaker, a city resident for 13 years, first visited her insurance broker to print out important policy papers, hopeful that she’s covered in case of the worst.
She worried about her sister, who lives less than half a kilometre from her, and her elderly neighbours.
“You could see a number of houses on my street just kind of candling up, one house, then the next house and the next house, so I’m not sure how far down (the fire got),” she said, describing what she saw Friday night.
“It’s just like, what can you do? And, I don’t usually get too emotional but I definitely got some tears welling up at the evacuation centre, and you’re just in shock.”
The extent of the destruction in the Okanagan was underscored by Ross Kotscherofski, chief of the North Westside Fire Rescue service.
He said some of his firefighters had seen their own homes go up in flames.
“Even though some of these members have lost their homes, they still remain dedicated to the community and they show up every single day,” he said.
Fires deemed out of control now burn on both sides of Lake Okanagan, including the devastating McDougall Creek fire that the BC Wildfire Service says covers 105 square kilometres.
Threatening Kelowna on the east side of the lake is the so-called Clifton-McKinley fire, comprised of several blazes.
But conditions were calmer than during Thursday and Friday's desperate battle against flames that consumed numerous homes and other properties, including the Lake Okanagan Resort.
Jerrad Schroeder of the BC Wildfire Service described Okanagan firefighting conditions Saturday as “subdued compared to the previous night."
"Today would be characterized as a good firefighting day. It’s a day where we can roll equipment and crews,” he said.
The last new evacuation order in the central Okanagan was issued at 9:18 p.m. on Friday, in contrast to earlier that day and late Thursday when orders poured in.
At least one evacuation order for part of the Westbank First Nation was also downgraded to an alert around midnight.
Saturday dawned cool and calm in Kelowna, with a blue sky visible through the smoky haze.
Chris Durkee and Danielle Mogdam and their five kids just returned to their Kelowna home from a trip to Alberta and thought they were safe from the fire across the lake, only to be awoken by a neighbour banging on their door to tell them a mountainside visible from their yard was on fire.
But Durkee, who has lived in Kelowna for 30 years, said they aren’t panicking just yet — but they have a trailer packed and ready to go should the flames get too close.
Caution persisted among authorities too.
Interior Health recommended that 715 elderly residents be evacuated from seven care homes in West Kelowna and Kelowna. The health authority said it was up to individual operators to arrange the evacuations.
Elsewhere, a series of evacuation orders were issued for residents of the southern Interior Shuswap area Friday night, threatened by the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire and the Bush Creek fire.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District and area Indigenous nations issued evacuation orders for the Scotch Creek, Lee Creek, Celista, Magna Bay and Little River areas.
The Scotch Creek and Takana Bay bridges were closed and Scotch Creek residents were told to evacuate by boat.
The wildfire service said the lightning-triggered Lower East Adams fire on the east side of the lake had grown to 100 square kilometres, while the Bush Creek fire to the west is now 33 square kilometres.
The service said areas under evacuation alert due to the Bush Creek fire "may receive an evacuation order today" due to severe weather.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District said Friday was an "unprecedented and profoundly challenging day" as it fought the most devastating fires in its history.
A fire in the Lytton area, meanwhile, forced the evacuations of numerous properties Friday, including the closure of the Trans-Canada Highway, while the Downton Creek fire in the Gun Lake area near Lillooet destroyed homes.
There are about 380 wildfires burning across the province, including 158 that are out of control and 16 wildfires of note that are highly visible or a threat to people or properties.
Banner image via The Canadian Press
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19, 2023.
Have a breaking story?
What’s Barrie talking about?
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Central Ontario Broadcasting, 431 Huronia Rd, Barrie, Ontario, CA, https://www.cobroadcasting.com. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Related Stories
Israel, Iran play down apparent Israeli strike. The muted responses could calm tensions -- for now
Leafs, Jets, Oilers and Canucks carry Canada's Cup hopes with drought at 30 years
Canada urges halt to escalating violence as Israel suspected of airstrike on Iran
Video of takedown by York Region cops of carjacking suspects
Olympic organizers unveil strategy for using artificial intelligence in sports
Tennis umpire banned for life for manipulating scores and gambling
Middle East Crisis Biden’s Message to Iran Over Impending Attack: ‘Don’t’
- Share full article
- A couple clearing the rubble from a home in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza. Associated Press
- Smoke billowing following a strike in the Nuseirat neighborhood in central Gaza on Friday. Mohammed Saber/EPA, via Shutterstock
- A bullet-riddled car after a raid by Israeli forces in the Faraa neighborhood of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Zain Jaafar/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
- Protesters in Tel Aviv calling for a deal and the release of hostages held in Gaza. Hannah Mckay/Reuters
- Palestinians looking over damage in the Daraj neighborhood of Gaza City. -/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
- Armed men at the funeral of a militant killed by Israeli forces, in Tubas, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Raneen Sawafta/Reuters
- Palestinians leaving Nuseirat in central Gaza during an Israeli military operation on Friday. Mohammed Saber/EPA, via Shutterstock
- A makeshift camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah, Gaza, on Thursday. Mohammed Abed/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
- Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men and boys protesting against the prospect of Israeli army conscription, in Jerusalem. Menahem Kahana/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images
- A memorial in Tel Aviv for hostages kidnapped in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Hannah Mckay/Reuters
President Biden vows to stand by Israel despite recent disagreements.
President Biden told reporters on Friday that he expected Iran to launch an attack on Israel “sooner than later” as a response to Israel’s killing of several top Iranian generals in a bombing in Syria two weeks ago.
Mr. Biden said he needed to be careful not to reveal classified information being collected by intelligence and military officials as they braced for an attack they believed was imminent. And he had a blunt, succinct answer when he was asked what his message to Iran was.
“Don’t,” he said.
Officials in the United States and other nations are engaged in a furious diplomatic effort to try to prevent a response from Iran that could spiral into a wider war. But Mr. Biden and his top aides have made it clear that their disagreement with Israel over the war in the Gaza Strip would not prevent the United States from defending Israel against attacks from other adversaries.
“We are devoted to the defense of Israel,” Mr. Biden told reporters at the White House after a speech to the National Action Network. “We will support Israel and help defend Israel, and Iran will not succeed.”
He did not specify what actions the United States might take.
John F. Kirby, a spokesman for the National Security Council, said earlier on Friday that the administration was taking the threat of an attack seriously.
“We are certainly mindful of a very public — and what we consider to be a very credible — threat made by Iran in terms of potential attacks on Israel,” he said. “We are in constant communication with our Israeli counterparts about making sure that they can defend themselves against those kinds of attacks.”
Mr. Kirby said the U.S. military was making adjustments to its force deployments in the Middle East to be ready in case an attack occurred, but he declined to be specific about those changes.
“We’re also clearly — it would be imprudent if we didn’t — taking a look at our own posture in the region, to make sure that we’re more properly prepared as well,” he said.
— Michael D. Shear
The U.S. issues new travel guidelines, warning that Iran will avenge the killings of senior commanders.
Several countries including the United States have issued new travel guidelines for Israel and the surrounding region, as the Israeli military said its forces were “highly alert” for a possible Iranian strike in retaliation for the killings of several commanders.
Iran has repeatedly vowed to strike back at Israel over the bombing of an Iranian Embassy complex in Damascus, Syria, this month that killed three generals and four other military officers. An American official said on Friday that Washington expects an attack by Iran against Israel that would be bigger than recent attacks in the long shadow war between the two countries, but not so big that it would draw the United States into war. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.
The U.S. State Department on Thursday barred its employees from traveling to large parts of Israel, the first time the U.S. government had restricted the movement of its employees in this way since the war in Gaza began more than six months ago.
On Thursday, Britain told its citizens that they “should consider leaving” Israel and the Palestinian territories “if it is safe to do so.” On Friday, India told its citizens “not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice,” while France advised people not to travel to Israel, Iran or Lebanon and evacuated the families of French diplomats from Iran.
Asked about the U.S. travel warning , Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesman, said at a news briefing Thursday: “We have seen Iran making public threats against Israel in the past few days.” He declined to provide details about any specific information that prompted the warning.
The new guidelines bar U.S. government employees and their families from traveling to locations outside the Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beersheba metropolitan areas “out of an abundance of caution” until further notice. The State Department said U.S. personnel could move among those areas for personal travel.
The top American military commander for the Middle East, Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, traveled to Israel to coordinate a response to possible Iranian retaliation, U.S. officials said.
“Our enemies think that they will divide Israel and the United States,” the Israeli defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said in a statement on Friday after meeting with General Kurilla. “They are connecting us and are strengthening the relationship between us.”
If Iran attacks, he added, “we will know how to respond.”
On Thursday, the Israeli military’s chief spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said that the armed forces were “highly alert and prepared” for any action Iran might take, even as the timing and scale of any response remained unclear. Analysts say that Tehran, which has long used a network of proxy forces to project power across the Middle East, wants to avoid igniting a full-fledged war that could drag in the United States and threaten the survival of Iran’s regime.
“For years, and even more so during the war, Iran has been financing, directing and arming its proxies — in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria, Iraq and Yemen — to attack the state of Israel,” he said. “An attack from Iranian territory would be clear evidence of Iran’s intentions to escalate the Middle East and stop hiding behind the proxies.”
— Liam Stack and Eric Schmitt
U.S. and Iranian officials predict Iran will strike Israel but not U.S. forces in the next few days.
Iran is expected to mount an attack soon on Israel, but not on the United States or its military forces, when Tehran retaliates for an Israeli bombing in Damascus, Syria, that killed several senior Iranian commanders, U.S. and Iranian officials said on Friday.
American intelligence analysts and officials think Iran will strike multiple targets inside Israel within the next few days, three U.S. officials said, speaking on anonymity to talk about sensitive matters they were not authorized to discuss publicly. Officials did not indicate what form the attack would take, what kinds of targets would be involved and the precise timing — information that is very closely guarded among senior Iranians.
The United States, Israel’s pre-eminent ally, has military forces in several places across the Middle East, but Iran likely will not target them to avoid inciting a direct conflict with the United States, according to Iranian officials, who similarly insisted on remaining anonymous, and the American officials.
In the first months of the war between Israel and Hamas, Iran-backed militias regularly attacked U.S. troops in Iraq, Syria and Jordan. But after a drone strike killed three Americans in Jordan in January, and the United States launched retaliatory strikes , Iran stopped the attacks by its proxies, fearing a more powerful U.S. response. Despite the clashes and hostile rhetoric, both Iranian and U.S. leaders have made it clear they want to avoid all-out war.
Iran has publicly and repeatedly vowed revenge for the April 1 strike on its embassy complex in Damascus that killed three generals and four other officers of its elite Quds Force, the foreign military and intelligence arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps. But analysts say Iranian leaders want to calibrate their response so it is big enough to impress, at home and abroad, that Iran is not impotent in the face of conflict, but not so big that it spirals into a full-fledged war with Israel or draws an American attack.
How Israel would respond to an Iranian attack on its soil is unclear. The Israeli military “continues to monitor closely what is happening in Iran and different arenas,” Herzi Halevi, chief of the Israeli general staff, said in a statement on Friday. He added, “Our forces are prepared and ready at all times and for any scenario.”
A strategist for the Revolutionary Guards, one of the Iranian officials who spoke anonymously, said Iran wants to take advantage of the widening rift between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and President Biden over Israel’s conduct of the war against Hamas — and not unite them in hostility to Iran.
The Biden administration has not only criticized the level of death and destruction wrought by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip, it has also voiced fears that increased clashes across Israel’s northern borders, primarily with Iranian proxies like Hezbollah, could escalate into a broader regional war.
Iran believes it can generate international support for a retaliatory strike by focusing attention on the attack against its embassy complex, a rare breach of the norms of war, and arguing that it was merely defending itself, the Iranian officials said.
International law generally treats embassies and consulates as being exempt from attack. But Israeli officials have argued that the building they destroyed was diplomatic only in name, and was used as a Revolutionary Guards base, as evidenced by the high-level commanders who were meeting there when they were killed.
Richard Pérez-Peña contributed reporting.
— Eric Schmitt and Farnaz Fassihi
An Iranian attack is likely to be measured, but a miscalculation risks a broader war, military analysts say.
Israeli forces were on high alert on Friday in anticipation of a retaliatory strike by Iran or its proxies, which analysts and officials warned could spur an Israeli reaction and potentially provoke a broader conflict in the region.
Iran is expected to launch an attack as soon as this weekend in retaliation for an April 1 airstrike, in which warplanes struck an Iranian Embassy building in Damascus, killing three generals and other commanders, U.S. and Iranian officials said on Friday.
Military analysts said neither Israel nor Iran appeared interested in provoking a full-blown war that could draw in the United States, but that a miscalculation about either side’s red lines could result in an escalation in hostilities.
An Iranian response was inevitable given the high profile of one of the generals killed in Syria, Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a top commander in Iran’s Quds Force, the analysts said.
“For every wise player, there comes a moment when the cost-benefit calculation shifts and all strategies are reset,” said Mahdi Mohammadi, the chief adviser to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of Iran’s Parliament. “For Iran, that moment was the attack in Damascus.”
Israel expects Iran to strike in a way that allows it to save face, but is measured enough to not arouse an even fiercer counterstrike, analysts say. The Iranians “don’t want a total war,” said Amos Gilead, a retired Israeli general. “So they might attack targets that would enable them to declare that they’ve achieved a great victory.”
Iran and Israel do not maintain any direct, formal channels of communication, making the chances for each side to misread the other’s intentions far greater, said Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli military intelligence officer.
American intelligence analysts and officials think Iran will strike multiple targets inside Israel within the next few days, said three U.S. officials who requested anonymity to discuss intelligence matters.
Where those strikes are aimed, from where they will be launched, who might carry them out and the damage they are expected to inflict remain secret to all but the highest levels of the Iranian government and military.
But Iran’s answer to those questions will determine the size and scope of Israel’s response, said Mr. Citrinowicz, a fellow at the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv.
The country’s leaders most likely hope to use their strike to restore some semblance of deterrence following the killing of General Zahedi in Syria, he said. (Israel has not publicly taken responsibility for that attack, but several Israeli officials confirmed the country’s involvement to The New York Times.)
Such an Iranian response, Mr. Citrinowicz said, could mean an attack from Iranian territory rather than through its proxies in Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iraq .
Israel has warned that an attack launched from inside Iran on targets inside Israel would be considered an escalation that required a reaction.
Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesman, said on Thursday such an attack would be “clear evidence of Iran’s intentions to escalate the Middle East and stop hiding behind the proxies.”
Last week, in anticipation of an Iranian strike, the Israeli military announced that additional reserve units had been called up to reinforce Israel’s air defense system and that combat soldiers expecting leave had been ordered to remain deployed.
Should Iran launch an attack from its own soil, said Mr. Citrinowicz, Israel’s air defenses would detect drones or cruise missiles long before they reached their targets, giving Israeli forces a chance to destroy them.
A more daunting scenario, he said, would be surface-to-surface ballistic missiles, which would arrive in a matter of minutes. Israel has developed some defenses — such as the Arrow system — to intercept longer-range missiles.
“If we manage to intercept most of what’s incoming, that would be excellent — it would moderate our need to respond offensively,” Mr. Citrinowicz said.
Farnaz Fassihi contributed reporting.
— Aaron Boxerman
Police shut down a Pro-Palestinian conference in Berlin, citing a risk of antisemitic statements.
German police stop pro-palestinian conference, the german police shut down a pro-palestinian conference in berlin, citing the risk that one of the speakers invited might make antisemitic comments or incite violence..
[shouting] “I’m just trying to —” Crowd: “Shame on you. Shame on you.” “Free, free, free Palestine.” Crowd: “Free, free, free Palestine.” “Free, free, free Palestine.” Crowd: “Free free, free Palestine.”
The German police shut down a pro-Palestinian conference in Berlin on Friday and denied entry to the country to a prominent British-Palestinian doctor who had planned to attend it.
Hundreds of police swarmed a gathering of some 250 people attending the “Palestine Conference” and banned the three-day event from continuing, citing the risk that one of the speakers invited might make antisemitic comments or incite violence.
“There is a risk that a speaker who has already made antisemitic or violence-glorifying public statements in the past will be invited to speak again,” the police wrote on social media.
In addition, Ghassan Abu Sitta, a well-known British-Palestinian plastic surgeon who worked in Gaza during the first weeks of Israel’s bombardment last year, said the authorities refused to allow him to enter Germany.
Dr. Abu Sitta had given testimony before the International Court of Justice in a genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel. He said the German authorities held him for hours at the airport before refusing to let him enter the country.
“The German government has forcibly prevented me from entering the country,” Dr. Abu Sitta wrote on social media. “Silencing a witness to genocide before the I.C.J. adds to Germany’s complicity in the ongoing massacre.”
Although leaders of Germany, the largest exporter of military aid to Israel after the United States, have begun to cautiously voice concern over Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, there is still widespread suppression of criticism of Israel, a policy that has generated controversy over concerns that it restricts free speech.
Germany’s government has long held that its support of Israel’s existence is an ironclad part of its foreign policy, and that support is seen in Berlin as part of the country’s atonement for the Holocaust. That has led the authorities to take a restrictive stance toward criticisms of Israel, even though some of those expressing those views, including some of the organizers of the Palestine Conference, are Jewish.
Videos of the police shutting down the conference included one of officers dragging out a man wearing a kipa, or skullcap, in the colors of the Palestinian flag, shouting “Free Palestine.”
In Berlin, police have often preemptively shut down demonstrations and events criticizing Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, citing concerns over antisemitism or violence.
On Friday, the city’s mayor, Kai Wegner, said he found it “intolerable” that such a conference was happening in Berlin. “We have made it clear that hatred of Israel has no place in Berlin,” he wrote on social media.
According to its website , the Palestine Conference planned to bring together Palestinian activists and speakers for panels on topics such as how to end German military support for Israel and the suppression of pro-Palestine speech. It also called for “the right of return of Palestinian refugees and end the Zionist settler colonialism.”
Among the speakers on the program was Yanis Varoufakis, the former Greek finance minister. On social media, he described the event as one in which “Jews, Palestinians and other peace activists were discussing universal human rights across Israel-Palestine.”
— Erika Solomon
The E.U. imposes sanctions on Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad for sexual violence on Oct. 7.
The countries of the European Union on Friday imposed sanctions on military and special forces units of Hamas and the armed wing of Palestinian Islamic Jihad for committing “widespread sexual and gender-based violence” during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
The European Council said in its decision that it levied sanctions on the fighters from the extremist groups — the Al-Quds Brigades and Nukhba Force of Hamas, and the Al-Quds Brigades of Palestinian Islamic Jihad — for inflicting sexual violence on Oct. 7 “in a systematic manner, using it as a weapon of war.”
The fighters will be barred from traveling to European Union countries and will be subject to an asset freeze.
Josep Borrell Fontelles, the European Union’s top diplomat, said in a statement that he would hold the perpetrators accountable.
Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, applauded the council’s decision and said it reinforced that those who inflict sexual violence will “pay the price.”
The European Union joined the United Nations in denouncing the sexual violence that some women and children faced during the Oct. 7 attacks. In early March, after deploying a team of experts to Israel and the West Bank, the United Nations said it had “clear and convincing information” that women and children held captive in Gaza were subjected to sexual violence, including rape, sexualized torture and inhumane treatment. The U.N. report also found that Palestinians detained by Israel had been sexually abused.
Later in March, The New York Times interviewed Amit Soussana , a former hostage, who publicly described for the first time the sexual abuse she faced while in Hamas captivity. Hamas leaders have denied the accusations and the conclusions of the U.N. report, saying that while it was essential to investigate the claims of sexual violence, it would be impossible to do so in “the current circumstances.”
— Gaya Gupta
Israel says it opened a new aid corridor to northern Gaza.
The Israeli military said on Friday it had begun allowing humanitarian aid trucks to enter northern Gaza through a new crossing, in an apparent response to international pressure to do more to alleviate the hunger and deprivation produced by more than six months of war.
The military did not specify the location of the new crossing, and it remained unclear how many trucks had crossed, what aid agency they belonged to and when the crossing might be open for wider use.
The convoy that Israel says entered on Thursday was not coordinated with the United Nations, whose agencies handle much of the relief effort in Gaza, according to a U.N. official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.
Jamie McGoldrick, a top U.N. relief official in Jerusalem, said that U.N. officials planned to head to the crossing on Saturday to examine it. He said the crossing would be a significant improvement “if it can go to scale and is not temporary.”
Israel has come under increasing international pressure to allow more aid to enter Gaza. After Israeli strikes killed seven aid workers last week , President Biden told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel by phone that the United States could withhold military support for Israel unless it did more to protect civilians and ensure adequate supplies for Palestinian civilians.
More than a million Gazans are facing “catastrophic levels of food insecurity” and over 50,000 Gazan children are acutely malnourished, the United Nations’ Office of Humanitarian Affairs reported this week . Aid agencies say the desperation is gravest in northern Gaza, where chaos and lawlessness have followed the withdrawal of most Israeli troops, and where relief groups have struggled to bring supplies from the two main border crossings in the south.
Aid officials have lobbied the Israeli government for months to open more entry points to bring aid directly into northern Gaza to avoid perilous roads across the territory where they fear their trucks will be either looted or bombarded.
In announcing the new crossing, the Israeli military said that Israeli inspectors had checked the trucks at Kerem Shalom, across the border from southern Gaza, before they headed to the new entry point, according to the Israeli military.
In mid-March, the Israeli authorities opened a military access road, known as Crossing 96, into northern Gaza. But Israel ultimately did not allow U.N. agencies to use the route consistently to bring in trucks, saying it was often needed for military use, Mr. McGoldrick said.
“Until we get a consistent flow inside Gaza, we’re never going to have the desperation reduced,” he said in an interview.
Yoav Gallant, Israel’s defense minister, pledged on Wednesday to “flood Gaza with aid” and said he expected to ultimately see 500 relief trucks entering the enclave on a daily basis. (U.N. figures show that an average of about 110 aid trucks have entered Gaza daily since the war began Oct. 7.) Mr. Gallant said Israel would soon open the port of Ashdod, an Israeli city north of Gaza, to accept aid shipments, without providing a time frame.
— Aaron Boxerman reporting from Jerusalem
The relief organization Anera says it is resuming operations in Gaza.
An aid group that had suspended its operations in Gaza after Israeli strikes killed seven humanitarian workers has said it is resuming work in the territory.
The Israeli authorities this week told the group, Anera, that the country’s military would take “certain measures” to protect aid workers in Gaza, the group’s chief executive, Sean Carroll, said in a statement on Thursday. The longstanding U.S.-based nonprofit, also known by its full name, American Near East Refugee Aid, said it was fully resuming its work in Gaza, distributing meals, hygiene kits and tents and providing medical treatment.
“Our ability to help people in Gaza relies on our heroic staff and hundreds of volunteers,” Mr. Carroll said in the statement, saying the group was “cautiously hopeful” that Israel’s assurances would mean that its workers would be safe.
Anera had partnered in Gaza with World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by the Spanish chef José Andrés, to distribute meals, but it suspended operations after an Israeli drone strike on April 1 killed seven of World Central Kitchen’s workers. The Israel military later said officers mistakenly believed the aid workers’ cars were carrying gunmen.
In an email response to questions from The New York Times, Mr. Carroll said that the Israeli authorities had assured him that “there will be no firing at humanitarian missions under any circumstances.” A strike near a humanitarian mission would occur only “in the case of a suspected armed militant in the area” and only with the authorization of “a senior officer,” Mr. Carroll said he was told.
More than six months of Israeli bombardment in Gaza have taken a devastating toll on Palestinians and aid workers. At least 224 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza since the current conflict broke out on Oct. 7, the U.N. Security Council said in a statement Thursday. That toll is at least three times higher than in a single conflict in a given year, the Security Council said.
With Israel’s blockade and heavy bombardment of the territory, Gaza’s 2.2 million civilians have become ever more dependent on aid organizations to meet even a fraction of their basic needs. At the same time, aid groups say the constant risk of strikes, crumbling roads and infrastructure and staggering levels of need make their work immensely challenging .
In a sign of the continuing peril for aid workers, UNICEF said on Thursday that one of its vehicles had been hit with live ammunition while waiting to enter northern Gaza this week. The Palestine Red Crescent Society said separately that a staff member died on Thursday after having been wounded in March during the evacuation of a hospital in Khan Younis.
The seven workers with the relief organization World Central Kitchen were killed on April 1 while leaving a warehouse in central Gaza. The team was part of the group’s efforts to distribute hundreds of tons of food aid, sent in by ship through a makeshift jetty the organization built on the Mediterranean coast, to a population among whom famine is beginning to set in .
They were killed when at least one Israeli drone struck three vehicles in their convoy in rapid succession, which Israel’s military later said was the result of a “grave mistake.”
Anera said it also lost one of its workers on March 8 in an Israeli airstrike, even though the location of his shelter had been shared with the Israeli authorities. Mousa Shawwa, 41, a logistics coordinator, had been a member of its staff for nearly 15 years and was wearing a vest with its logo when he was killed, according to the organization.
World Central Kitchen, which also suspended its work in Gaza after the deaths of its staff members, has not announced plans to restart operations.
— Victoria Kim
An Argentine court rules that Iran was behind attacks on the Israeli Embassy and a Jewish center.
A high court in Argentina ruled on Thursday that Iran was the mastermind of the 1994 bombing of a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people, potentially paving the way for relatives of victims to make claims against the country in international tribunals.
While Argentine investigators have long believed that Iranian operatives and high-ranking officials played key roles in the attacks, the decision this week by Argentina’s second-highest tribunal goes further by holding the Iranian state itself responsible.
The ruling also characterized Iran as a terrorist state at a moment when tensions are running particularly high between Iran and Israel. Iran has repeatedly said it will launch an attack against Israel in retaliation for a recent bombing in Syria that killed several top Iranian commanders.
“The 1994 attack in Buenos Aires was organized, planned, financed and executed under the direction of the authorities of the Islamic State of Iran, within the framework of Islamic Jihad,” said the ruling by the three-member court that declared the attack a crime against humanity.
The court said the attack itself was carried out by Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group.
The judges said Tehran was also to blame for the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires that killed 22 people. The attacks were carried out in retaliation for the Argentine government’s decision to cancel contracts to provide nuclear material to Iran, according to the ruling.
Iran has steadfastly denied any involvement in the attacks.
The “verdict reaffirms what the Argentine justice system has been asserting through numerous rulings for decades,” the Argentine Jewish Mutual Aid Association, whose building was the target of the attack, said in a statement.
“It’s the position we’ve always upheld,” said Jorge Knoblovits, the head of an association that represents more than 100 Jewish organizations in Argentina. “The Islamic Republic of Iran was the one responsible for all of this.”
The court ruling said a state can be held responsible for financing and planning a terrorist attack even if it was carried out by nonstate actors.
The ruling opens the door for relatives of victims to pursue claims against Iran in international tribunals, Mr. Knoblovits said, though it was unclear if a case could be brought before the International Court of Justice, the U.N.’s highest judicial body, or elsewhere.
“We’re currently analyzing that,” he said.
The ruling is the latest twist in an investigation that has been mired by accusations of coverups and plagued by controversy.
In 2015, a special prosecutor was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head shortly after he accused then-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and other top officials of conspiring with Iran to cover up its involvement in the community-center attack. The former president has repeatedly denied the accusations.
The government of right-wing President Javier Milei, who came into office in December and is a strong ally of Israel, hailed Thursday’s ruling, saying it “brought an end to decades of delays and coverups.”
— Daniel Politi Reporting from Buenos Aires
Advertisement
- International
Trump hush money trial
Middle East conflict
April 16, 2024 - Israel-Hamas war
By Kathleen Magramo, Sana Noor Haq, Maureen Chowdhury and Tori B. Powell, CNN
Our live coverage of Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza has moved here .
Prime minister denies strikes on Israel launched from Iraqi territory
From CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq
Israel said some of Iran's missiles on Saturday were launched from Iraq, but Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani denied it to CNN Tuesday.
"It was not proven to us through the military reports we've received that any missiles or any drones were launched from Iraq," al-Sudani told CNN's Christiane Amanpour in an interview on Tuesday. "Certainly, our position is clear; we do not allow any non-governmental body to use Iraq to bring it back into the battle. We have been taking the legal procedures to keep Iraq safe and to distance Iraq away from the conflict arena," al Sudani added.
Al-Sudani spoke with Amanpour from Washington, D.C., after he met with US President Joe Biden on Monday. Both leaders discussed the importance of de-escalating tensions in the Middle East.
US conducts another airdrop of food into northern Gaza, CENTCOM says
The US military conducted another aid drop into northern Gaza on Tuesday, dropping approximately 25,300 meal equivalents, US Central Command said in a post on X.
"The joint operation included two C-130 U.S. Air Force aircraft, and U.S. Army Soldiers specialized in aerial delivery of U.S humanitarian assistance supplies," CENTCOM said.
To date the US has dropped 891 tons of humanitarian assistance, CENTCOM said.
Remember: Humanitarian organizations have warned that airdrops are "good photo opportunities but a lousy way to deliver aid."
US sanctions are planned for Iran after its attack on Israel. Here's what you should know
From CNN staff
The United States is planning to impose new sanctions targeting Iran after it launched a large-scale attack on Israel in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria, according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
Earlier Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced the Biden administration would use sanctions “to continue disrupting the Iranian regime’s malign and destabilizing activity.”
“From this weekend’s attack to the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, Iran’s actions threaten the region’s stability and could cause economic spillovers," she said at a news conference.
Here are headlines you should know:
- More from Iran: Israel’s war cabinet met again on Tuesday to discuss Israel’s response to Iran’s attack. After Iran closed its nuclear facilities on Sunday for "security considerations," Rafael Grossi, International Atomic Energy Agency director general, told CNN that its inspectors are back in the facilities and the "situation seems to be business as usual." Also, the US will restrict the movements of Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his delegation while they are in New York this week, a source familiar told CNN.
- Developments on the ground: At least 13 people were killed , including seven children, and more than 25 people were wounded after a strike targeted the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital officials. Elsewhere, the Israel Defense Forces said its airstrikes killed three Hezbollah fighters , including two commanders, in southern Lebanon on Tuesday.
- World Central Kitchen updates: The US is continuing to review the findings of the Israeli investigation into the deadly strike on a World Central Kitchen convoy, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday. The United States is “not at this time” calling for an independent investigation, Miller said. He said he did not have a timetable for when its assessment will be completed.
- Palestinian child’s death probe: The US will be going to Israel with new information from a Washington Post report that contradicts the results of an Israeli investigation into the death of 5-year-old Palestinian girl Hind Rajab , who was found dead in Gaza in February. The US called on Israel to investigate Rajab’s death earlier this year, and Miller now says the US “would still welcome a full investigation into this matter, and how it occurred in the first place.”
- Probe problems: A United Nations Commission of Inquiry accused Israel of actively obstructing its efforts to collect evidence from victims and first-hand witnesses of Hamas’ attacks in southern Israel on October 7. The commissioner appealed to the Israeli government to cooperate and urged victims and witnesses to the events in southern Israel to contact the commission.
US to impose new sanctions on Iran in the coming days, national security adviser says
From CNN's Donald Judd
The United States is planning to impose new sanctions targeting Iran after its attack on Israel over the weekend, according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
“Following Iran’s unprecedented air attack against Israel, President Biden is coordinating with allies and partners, including the G7, and with bipartisan leaders in Congress, on a comprehensive response,” Sullivan wrote in a statement. “In the coming days, the United States will impose new sanctions targeting Iran, including its missile and drone program as well as new sanctions against entities supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Defense Ministry. We anticipate that our allies and partners will soon be following with their own sanctions.”
Earlier Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen announced the Biden administration would use sanctions “to continue disrupting the Iranian regime’s malign and destabilizing activity.”
In addition to new sanctions, Sullivan wrote Tuesday the administration will “continue to work through the Department of Defense and U.S. Central Command to further strengthen and expand the successful integration of air and missile defense and early warning systems across the Middle East to further erode the effectiveness of Iran’s missile and UAV capabilities.”
Analysis: Netanyahu is betting Israeli blood on Iran’s read of his rift with America
From CNN's Nic Robertson
Israel, aided by its allies, dodged a bullet Sunday.
To be more precise, 60 tons of explosives aboard more than 350 Iranian projectiles, some bigger than a family car, failed to dodge Israel’s defenses.
Yet Israel, in defiance of US President Joe Biden’s warnings to “take the win” and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi’s threat of a “severe, extensive and painful” response to any retaliation, is contemplating just that.
Deterrence, shorthand for “meanest S.O.B. in the room,” Israel believes, is the cornerstone of its survival. Iran is stealing that brick.
When faced with existential threats in the past, Israel has executed the most audacious raids the region has ever witnessed. The point being, Israel won’t telegraph its attack plans as Iran did at the weekend.
Aside from the core members of Israel’s war cabinet, more than a dozen other people have sat at the table deep inside the Kirya, Israel’s maximum security defense headquarters in Tel Aviv, thrashing out their next move.
Netanyahu’s next move will likely try to lock in sanctions, and strike before negative Gaza headlines dump the international good will filling his sails.
The clock is ticking. He needs two things, time to prepare a significant surprise strike, and time to coalesce international diplomacy. As both march to different beats, his legendary political acumen faces one of its stiffest tests yet.
Netanyahu is famed as a political survivor. But now he faces the biggest gamble of his career. He is betting the blood of his nation over Iran’s read of his rift with America.
Israel's sense of reason has been replaced by revenge, new Irish prime minister says
From CNN's Niamh Kennedy
Ireland's newly appointed prime minister told CNN that Israel's sense of reason has been "replaced by revenge" as he addressed recent tensions between the Israeli and Irish governments.
In his first television interview since being appointed last week, Taoiseach Simon Harris hit back at recent criticisms from the Israeli foreign ministry and the Israeli Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich, accusing the country of being "on the wrong side of history" when it comes to the war in Gaza.
"Excuse me for finding it a little bit hard to see where the representative of the (Benjamin) Netanyahu government is talking about being on the wrong side because I think the actions of the Netanyahu government right now, in terms of allowing this humanitarian catastrophe to unfold in Gaza, and the impact on women, children, civilians and civilian infrastructure is profound," Harris told CNN's Christiane Amanpour. Harris went on to say that "Ireland is extraordinarily clear in its condemnation of Hamas ... and of the right of Israel to be able to live in safety and security. But we also believe that reason has now been replaced by revenge."
The prime minister doubled down on his call for "an immediate cessation of hostilities" in Gaza alongside his plan to convince fellow European Union leaders to formally recognize the state of Palestine. Harris laid out his belief that a peaceful solution to the war in Gaza "involves a number of countries that are like-minded coming together to recognize the state of Palestine."
He reiterated that "Ireland stands ready to recognize the state of Palestine" and is very keen to do so alongside other EU member states to increase the "potential positive momentum."
The Israeli foreign ministry has condemned Ireland's intention to recognize Palestinian statehood, maintaining in a press release last week that doing so would be awarding Hamas a "prize for terrorism."
IDF says its airstrikes in Lebanon killed 3 Hezbollah fighters
From CNN's Eugenia Yosef and Mohammed Tawfeeq
The Israel Defense Forces said its airstrikes killed three Hezbollah fighters, including two commanders, in southern Lebanon on Tuesday.
Muhammad Hussein Shahouri, "the Commander of the Rockets and Missiles Unit of Radwan Forces' Western Region," was killed in an airstrike in Kfar Dounine in south Lebanon, an IDF statement said. "As part of his role, Muhammad planned and promoted rocket and missile launches toward Israeli territory from the areas of Lebanon's central and western regions."
Mahmoud Ibrahim Fadlallah, "an operative of Hezbollah's Rockets and Missiles Unit," was also killed in the same airstrike, the IDF added.
Earlier, the IDF said in a separate statement that its airstrike killed Ismail Youssef Bazz , "the commander of Hezbollah's coastal sector, in the area of Ain Ebel in Lebanon," in southern Lebanon.
Hezbollah confirmed the deaths of its three fighters without providing details on the circumstances of their deaths or ranks.
At least 13 people killed, including 7 children, after strike on central Gaza's Al-Maghazi refugee camp
From CNN's Mohammad Al-Sawalhi in Gaza, CNN’s Kareem Khadder, Abeer Salman and Zeena Saifi in Jerusalem
At least 13 people were killed, including seven children, and more than 25 people were wounded after a strike targeted the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday, according to Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital officials.
Graphic video obtained exclusively by CNN from eyewitness Nihad Owdetallah shows several casualties scattered on the floor, including children, with blood streaming around the area. Dozens of people appear to be running around in panic, screaming and trying to count and carry the dead bodies. A foosball table covered in dust is seen among the dead bodies.
Owdetallah, who lives in the camp, told CNN he heard an explosion at around 3:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday.
"I immediately walked to see what happened and found dead bodies thrown on the ground. People screaming, kids screaming. Kids dead on the ground. They were just playing foosball, and they were martyred," he said.
Footage shot for CNN from inside Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital shows a continuous flow of causalities and injured people being ushered in, as the emergency room is crowded with patients, including several wounded children, crying out on the floor.
Video from inside a morgue at the hospital shows families trying to identify their loved ones among the deceased. Fatmeh Issa points to a white body bag with a young boy’s bloodied face exposed, telling CNN, "This is my son."
Another man cries out, “They have nothing to do with anyone! They are civilians. Have mercy on us. You are killing children. You are not killing an army or fighters; you are killing children who were peacefully playing in the street."
Video shows him handing a young girl’s dead body to another man, both men crying out Quranic verses and sobbing. The man who receives her body is seen placing her on the ground, and covers her body with a jacket, telling CNN she is his daughter.
"This is my oldest daughter … her name is Lujain, she is 9-years-old. A strike hit them while they were playing out in the street. They are all just children,” he said.CNN has reached out to the Israel Defense Forces for comment but has not yet received a response.
Please enable JavaScript for a better experience.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
Fire Bans and Restrictions. These prohibitions apply to all public and private land, unless specified otherwise - for example, in a local government bylaw. Please check with local government authorities for any other restrictions and assess conditions before lighting any fire. British Columbia is a large and geographically diverse province.
B.C. restricts travel in southern Interior as wildfires force 30,000 out of homes. Kelowna tourism operator fled 2 wildfires in 8 years. He now fears for future of business. Ma said the province ...
The B.C. government is using the extraordinary powers granted to it under its state of emergency declaration to implement a restriction on tourism-related travel to areas affected by wildfires.
A travel order has restricted non-essential travel to the southern Interior. 30,000 people are on evacuation order across B.C. and 36,000 more are under evacuation alert, according to the province ...
Aysanabee, Tate McRae, Tobi lead Award winners at pre-telecast Junos. British Columbia imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones on Saturday after evacuee numbers doubled to 30,000 or more, marking ...
Posted August 19, 2023 3:49 pm. Updated August 19, 2023 8:24 pm. 4 min read. 2:12 Travel to B.C.'s southeast, Central Interior restricted due to wildfires. The B.C. government will be ...
The government of British Columbia said it would largely lift travel restrictions to the province's wildfire-hit interior on Tuesday, as rain and cooler weather helped hold back blazes across ...
The British Columbia government is lifting travel restrictions to most fire-affected areas in the Southern Interior. Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Minister Bowinn Ma said the order ...
Contact us. Fire information line: 1-888-336-7378. Burn registration line: 1-888-797-1717. Twitter: @BCGovFireInfo. Facebook: BC Wildfire Service. Youtube: BCWS YouTube. Media contacts: click here. Find more contact info. The BC Wildfire Service employs approximately 1,600 seasonal personnel each year, including firefighters, dispatchers and ...
Current wildfire conditions, restrictions, and highway closures Be wildfire ready. Get started Play video Climate change is causing wildfires to get bigger, hotter, and more frequent. The Government of B.C. is working with experts, communities, and Indigenous partners to reduce wildfire risks and protect the places we love. Learn more If you live in an
For now, the host has given her a 50 per cent refund. "They are being very greedy," said Coumont. People watch the McDougall Creek wildfire burning in West Kelowna, B.C., from at Waterfront Park ...
Non-essential travel restrictions have been lifted for much of B.C.'s southern Interior after devastating wildfires cleared out thousands of properties in the area. Restrictions ended as the clock hit midnight on Wednesday, and travellers are able to return to Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, and Vernon.
The central Okanagan is facing weeks without tourism during its peak season after British Columbia's premier imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones. Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism Industry ...
People watch the McDougall Creek wildfire as it continues to burn in West Kelowna, British Columbia, on August 19, 2023. Around 30,000 people were under orders on August 19 to evacuate their homes ...
KELOWNA — The central Okanagan is facing weeks without tourism during its peak season after British Columbia's premier imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones. Walt Judas, CEO of the Tourism ...
British Columbia imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones on Saturday after evacuee numbers doubled to 30,000 or more, marking another day of dramatic developments in the province's desperate battle against hundreds of blazes.
BC officials announced they're lifting the wildfire-related travel ban for all communities but West Kelowna Wednesday morning.. Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma said in a news release that the Emergency Order restricting stays in several Okanagan communities served its purpose well — freeing up thousands of hotel rooms for evacuees, firefighters, and other ...
The wildfire battle in British Columbia continues today, focusing on the central Okanagan where flames tore through West Kelowna suburbs and forced the evacuation of neighbouring Kelowna's University of B.C. campus. ... KELOWNA — British Columbia imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones on Saturday after evacuee numbers doubled to 30,000 or ...
UPDATE 2 p.m. A day after the B.C. government declared a provincial state of emergency, Premier David Eby has used that power to implement a tourist travel ban for areas that are currently ...
Wildfire travel restrictions to B.C. Interior to be lifted Wednesday with exception of West Kelowna. The McDougall Creek wildfire burns outside the Okanagan community of West Kelowna on Aug. 18 ...
The Provincial State of Emergency issued by the Province of BC on August 18, 2023, expired at the end of day Thursday, September 14, 2023 (Pacific time). Links & Resources For current wildfire evacuation information, visit EmergencyInfoBC.ca. For wildfire locations and response information, visit BCWildfire.ca. Guidance for wildfire evacuees Travel and highway wildfire impacts from
Open burning. Always check with local authorities and weather conditions before lighting a fire of any size. Open burning—or burning outdoors—is allowed when the wildfire risk is low and can be a useful tool when conducted responsibly. Even if there are no provincial open burning prohibitions in place, check with local government ...
British Columbia imposed bans on travel to wildfire zones on Saturday after evacuee numbers doubled to 30,000 or more, marking another day of dramatic developments in the province's desperate battle against hundreds of blazes. ... saying he convened the incident response group — made up of ministers and senior officials — to discuss the ...
Asked about the U.S. travel warning, Matthew Miller, the State Department spokesman, said at a news briefing Thursday: "We have seen Iran making public threats against Israel in the past few ...
The United States plans to impose new sanctions targeting Iran after its unprecedented attack on Israel over the weekend, according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.