r/kelowna • • Aug 06 '26

Local Resources [Megathread] August Wildfires, Smoke, & Evacuations – Q&A, Links, and Resources

45 Upvotes

Setting up this megathread to centralize updates, resources, smoke forecasts, and questions so the subreddit doesn't get flooded with duplicate posts.

If you are sharing updates in the comments, please include a source (official EOC releases, BC Wildfire Service, etc.) and refrain from posting unverified rumors.

Official Resources & Emergency Links

  • Evacuations, Alerts & Shelters (Kelowna / West Kelowna):
    • CORD Emergency (Central Okanagan Emergency Operations): The primary source for local evacuation orders, alerts, interactive maps, and Emergency Support Services (ESS) reception centers.
    • EmergencyInfoBC: Provincial evacuation updates and active emergency alerts across BC.
    • ESS Evacuee Registration: If you are placed under an Evacuation Order, register here immediately to access shelter and emergency support.
    • Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team (ALERT): Call 250-809-7152 for emergency assistance with evacuating livestock and pets in the Okanagan.
    • VOYENTALERT! CORD Emergency has shared that they are now using VOYENTALERT! and you can install the app on your phone to be notified of any emergency alerts for your location. https://voyent-alert.us/
  • Fires & Roads:
    • BC Wildfire Service Dashboard: Interactive map and status updates for active wildfires. You can also download the official BC Wildfire app.
    • DriveBC: Live road closures, highway conditions, and smoky visibility alerts.
  • Air Quality & Smoke Tracking:

Frequently Asked Questions

"Should I still come to Kelowna or cancel my vacation this weekend?"

  • Check for non-essential travel bans first: If the province or Central Okanagan Emergency Operations issues a travel order asking tourists to stay away, cancel or reschedule immediately. Accommodation is needed for evacuees and emergency crews.
  • If no travel bans are in place: It depends on your tolerance for smoke and sudden changes. Air quality can shift from clear to hazardous within hours depending on wind direction. Outdoor activities (wineries, hiking, lake days) might be ruined or unhealthy.
  • Check cancellation policies: Contact your hotel or Airbnb host directly. Many have specific policies when official air quality advisories or emergency alerts are active.

"Where can I see live air quality alerts?"

  • Check the BC AQHI page linked above for official health advisories, or PurpleAir for real-time localized AQI numbers. Keep in mind that smoke changes fast and what looks bad in the morning can clear up by afternoon, and vice versa.

"How do I clean/purify the air inside my home?"

  • Use a HEPA Air Purifier: Run it continuously in the main room you use (like a bedroom). Keep all doors and windows sealed tight.
  • Build a DIY Corsi-Rosenthal Box: If air purifiers are sold out, buy a 20x20 box fan, a MERV 13 furnace filter (or four taped together into a cube), and duct tape the filter to the back/intake side of the fan. It costs around $40–$60 and clears smoke out of a room fast. A site with great instructions is: https://bclung.ca/lung-health/air-quality/breathe/
  • HVAC Systems: Set your furnace fan to "ON" (instead of "AUTO") and install a MERV 13 filter if your system supports it. Ensure the system is set to recirculate indoor air rather than pulling smoky air from outside.
  • Avoid adding indoor pollutants: Don't burn candles, avoid heavy indoor frying, and hold off on vacuuming unless your vacuum has a sealed HEPA filter, as it can kick fine particulate back into the air.
  • Avoid drawing in outside air as much as possible: This means reducing any activity that exhausts air to the outside. For example, central vacuums, bathroom fans, hood fans over the stove, clothes dryers. By exhausting air outside, you are pulling in outside air.

Use the comments below to ask questions, share local road/smoke updates, and link official updates.

Update August 7, 2026 @ 9:30 PM and CONTINUING - Live stream from Regional District Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) - https://www.youtube.com/@OkanaganSimilkameen


r/kelowna • • 17d ago

META The upcoming civic election and AMA's. Are you a candidate and want to hold an AMA? Are you a community member and want more info and the AMA schedule? Click here!

43 Upvotes

As announced a few weeks ago, with the coming municipal election we want to invite any declared and approved candidate to hold an AMA and connect with voters who are part of the /r/kelowna community.

We won't accept any AMAs before September 19 and we will be requiring some form of proof of identity.

To hold an AMA you will need a reddit account and use it to submit your own AMA post on the scheduled day. We will endeavour to moderate.

If you are a candidate who wishes to do an AMA please use modmail to reach out to us to schedule it. We will delete any AMA that was not pre-cleared by mods

Official candidates list announcement from the city

Current Schedule

Candidate Position Date Time (if specified, PST) Status
Davis Kyle City Council September 22 4PM Verified
Mike Rose City Council September 25 8AM Verified
Val Johnson School Trustee September 25 5PM Verified
Trevor McAleese City Council September 28 - Verified
Gord Lovegrove City Council October 12 4PM Verified

AMA Rules for Questioners (stolen from /r/iama):

We will remove:

  • Answers to questions from anyone but the AMA participant.

  • Abusive or harassing comments

  • Requests for personal favours from the OP (For example, "OP, can you send me a signed autograph").

  • In AMA posts, top-level comments must ask a question. We will remove comments such as "OMG I love you..." and "No questions, just thanks!"

  • Comments where there would be no possibility of a real answer, especially where it is deliberately creepy or offensive.

  • "I bet OP won't answer this"-type responses, which usually come after the OP has finished responding to questions.

  • "Fluff," non-contributing responses from users, responding to all of the OP's comments for karma/attention.

  • Repeatedly asking the same question, which violates Reddit's site-wide rules.

  • Users attempting to bypass the rules by adding a ? to a nonquestion

  • Questions must be directed toward the individual(s) doing the IAMA.

  • A subreddit or other website organizing and voting for a group comment/question is considered to be vote cheating and is subject to removal. It is a violation of the rules of reddit and risks a sitewide ban.

  • Astroturfed questions. Astroturfing is the practice of an individual or group of individuals who plant questions in an IAmA post for a particular purpose.


r/kelowna • • 3h ago

Independent guide to where all 40 Kelowna mayor and council candidates stand

58 Upvotes

With 37 people running for council and 3 for mayor, it's hard to know who actually stands where. So I put together a guide that shows where each candidate stands on five local issues:

  • Taxes and spending
  • Growth and density
  • Homelessness, addiction and public safety
  • Police and bylaw presence
  • Transportation

https://kelownacompass.pages.dev

Placements are based on council votes, platforms, forum coverage and published questionnaires, and every one links to its sources so you can check it yourself. Each placement is also marked strong, some or thin evidence, so you can see how much it rests on.

There's also an optional 20-question quiz that shows which candidates are closest to your answers, a page on other issues in the race (council pay, the performing arts centre, short-term rentals and more), and the basics on how and where to vote.

A few things to know:

  • It's an unpaid volunteer project. No ads, no tracking, no cookies, and no connection to any candidate, slate, party or the City.
  • Research and drafting were done with help from an AI assistant and reviewed by me. That's why every placement links to its sources.
  • It's a guide, not a recommendation. Placements are judgment calls made under written rules, and the Method tab explains how they're made and what the limits are.
  • It's checked daily for new candidate statements and coverage until election day.

Spot an error or know of a public source I missed? Comment here with a link and I'll review it. Off Reddit, there's also a form on the site. Every correction is checked against the same rules, and any change is dated on the site.

Advance voting runs Oct 7 to 16, and general voting day is Saturday, Oct 17.


r/kelowna • • 1h ago

History of Rattlesnake Island

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• Upvotes

Anyone know much about this? Pretty interesting video and I had no idea!


r/kelowna • • 14h ago

News Random positive post-

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103 Upvotes

Thanks for the fresh cut grass at Tugboat, now she can go home with fresh makeup!


r/kelowna • • 9h ago

Red Bird

23 Upvotes

Does anyone else get absolutely fucked up by red bird beers? I absolutely love the place but I get hammered after two lady of the lakes there? Am I the only one?


r/kelowna • • 1h ago

October 17

• Upvotes

Hey all! Got a big group of people going out on October 17th. We’re in our mid 30’s and looking for somewhere to dance! Probably not wanting to go to Distrikt as the crowd is too young. Does anyone know of any live music/DJs going on that weekend? Google hasn’t been much help. Thanks!


r/kelowna • • 9h ago

What was happening on Bernard at noon?

7 Upvotes

Had the end by the sails blocked off, looked like a lot of emergency vehicles


r/kelowna • • 1d ago

PSA PSA...

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411 Upvotes

I'm a pretty defensive driver but I pretty regularly get honked at turning left BC drivers don't know there are two lanes or they don't care I guess..

What will convince drivers to take the correct action?

I feel bad saying repainting the lines won't have an effect..

Lived here a long time. Problem only seems to get worse as time passes.


r/kelowna • • 15h ago

Local Resources 49M considering local CrossFit recommendations for the 40s/50s crowd?

7 Upvotes

Former long-time gym rat who burnt out on standard commercial gyms (Global, YMCA, etc.). I did hot yoga and TRX for a while, but work and life got in the way. And cost to be real. At that time, I couldn't afford the monthly expense. So I quit. That was 10 or more years ago.

I’m 49(M) turning 50 next year and looking to get back into a fitness routine. No, not a mid-life crisis. I’ve come to realize fitness has always been 'my thing' - I’ve just spent years running from it, struggling to find something else when the answer was right in front of me the whole time.

A buddy suggested CrossFit, and while I used to be skeptical of it, I'm ready to give it a shot.

Looking for recommendations from anyone in the Kelowna area, especially the 40s/50s crowd:

* Any places to avoid if you aren't looking for hyper-competitive, 20/30s something energy?

* Have a solid, supportive vibe with good coaching on technique & injury prevention?

Starting over is a bit intimidating, so any honest input would be appreciated. Thanks in kind.


r/kelowna • • 1d ago

Baby bobcat rescued from power pole in Rutland

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81 Upvotes

r/kelowna • • 1d ago

Is ANYONE hiring???

41 Upvotes

I moved here in July and have been just constantly dropping off resumes. I am looking for a server job but have been giving resumes to retail as well. Absolutely nothing.

One clothing store did call me, asked me 2 questions, then said they would call me back if they moved forward with my application. Like what???

Either way, I’m just looking for support or if anyone would know if there are actually ANY JOBS IN THIS CITY?


r/kelowna • • 5h ago

One Foot Off Center: Cannan pitches Campus of Care model for homelessness, addiction

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0 Upvotes

r/kelowna • • 1d ago

KASHA's experience with Kelowna city councilors during the property tax subsidy challenge in 2025

50 Upvotes

In 2025, KASHA (Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists Association) tried to lobby for change in the way that property tax exemptions were automatically given to religious organizations. The Fair Taxes – Fair Future project goal was to get city council to re-examine the exemptions because Kelowna taxpayers were subsidizing organizations that:

1. Openly disparages the 2SLGBTQ+ community and bars people from full membership,

2. Donate large sums of funds to convert people around the world,

3. Donate to anti-abortion causes.

All of this behavior goes against the policy that was created for distributing subsidies to local organizations to benefit Kelowna citizens. Simple enforcement would also have been effective.

4. We are also interested in allowing non-profit day cares to get property tax exemptions again. (This exemption was removed in 2006)

We live in a very divided world. Government officials should at least adhere to human rights and be responsive to correcting policy. Religious belief is a historical privilege that can be changed.

Refusing to give subsidies to discriminatory organizations is not against religious freedom. These organizations just won’t receive Kelowna taxpayer funding for their accessory buildings and parking lots on their properties. Maybe they can change their belief systems to be more inclusive, maybe they won’t be able to fund their missionary works if they have to pay for their property taxes.

Excusing discriminatory organizations because they ‘do good’ is like saying that a ‘good’ math teacher should still work in the school system even if they are openly a white supremacist.

All the present city councillors refused to voice any public concern and make any changes. If you can’t publicly voice concern over human rights, what do you stand up for? Who are you protecting?

Discriminatory religious belief becomes nationalism if left unchecked, just look at our southern neighbors.

Here is the response that we received in 2025 after persistent calling.

Ron Cannan: He was happy with the policy as it stood as many churches did ‘good’ in the community.

Charlie Hodge: He said he would look into it, but did nothing.

Gord Lovegrove: Complete silence.

Luke Stack: I had many conversations and he was open enough to have a conversation. He didn’t see a problem with discrimination. He said many non-profit organizations were discriminatory, so the religious ones were not different. He was an elder in Willow Park Church

Maxine DeHart: She said she would look into it, but did nothing.

Mohini Singh: We met her several times. At first she was interested, but then she came up with various excuses on why it couldn’t be changed, even though the policy itself is changeable at any time.

Rick Webber: Said a lot of people were against changing the policy.

Loyal Wooldridge: Did not voice concern during the vote that gave the religious organizations another 5 year tax benefit .

Mayor Tom Dyas: Complete Silence

Actions speak louder than words.

We shouldn’t fund abuse, injustice and oppression. Protecting human rights is not controversial.


r/kelowna • • 1d ago

Curly Hair Dressers

5 Upvotes

My partner has been really wanting to style his hair and kind of embrace his curls, he’s always slicked his hair back because he doesn’t really know how to style it. However he’s been wanting to find a way to cut it in a way that puffs the curls more in the front so the slick isn’t necessary but wants it to be a bit longer.

I suppose my question is if anyone knows air good curly hair dressers for men in Kelowna? I think he would be better off with a stylist as a macho man hairstyle just isn’t for him, but I haven’t found any yet that would be willing to take him.


r/kelowna • • 1d ago

Taco bobs kelowna 2004

3 Upvotes

Anyone remember taco bobs in kelowna that closed around 2004 on Gordon and KLO?


r/kelowna • • 1d ago

Visitor Question Visiting Kelowna the week of October 13 th right after thanksgiving and looking for recommendations/ things to do

1 Upvotes

Visiting Kelowna for work and looking for recommendations while there mostly things to do on Friday and Saturday, as I fly back on Sunday .. I m working the Tuesday the 13 th till Thursdays
Restaurants, hikes, things to see, also is water warm to swim? 🏊‍♂️
Thanks everyone, it’s my first time to visit


r/kelowna • • 2d ago

B.C. Premier David Eby to make grocery affordability announcement in Kelowna

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77 Upvotes

r/kelowna • • 2d ago

PSA SOS me and my gf need 2 lord of the rings trivia partners for tonight

26 Upvotes

As title states,

Our two friends cancelled on us last minute and we are in shambles.

Looking for two people

Wings @ 7


r/kelowna • • 2d ago

Wings

7 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

Looking for some wing recommendations and when those places have deals. I get prices have to go up but some of these places (not just Kelowna) are just ridiculous.

Thanks for any input!


r/kelowna • • 2d ago

Hwy97 blockage?

19 Upvotes

I'm trying to drive to kelowna, and just south of Vernon, hwy97 is blocked up entirely. It's basically a parking lot (both lanes) for as far as I can see, and there's been no traffic coming the northbound lanes either, so whatever is happening has closed off the highway in both directions.

Can't find anything on castanet yet. Anyone know what's up?


r/kelowna • • 2d ago

ForChange Kelowna names eight recommended council candidates

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19 Upvotes

r/kelowna • • 2d ago

Good Judgment Enforcement Lawyers in the Okanagan

10 Upvotes

I’m wondering if anyone knows of any good lawyers in the Okanagan area that are experienced in debt litigation, specifically judgment enforcement.

A relative of mine in Kelowna obtained a sizeable judgement against a scummy individual who scammed a lot of money from her. The firm representing her did a decent job in helping her sue and obtain judgment, but has been pretty lacklustre in taking steps to enforce said judgment.


r/kelowna • • 3d ago

COVID-19 Are road laws just largely not enforced anymore?

96 Upvotes

There seems to be a huge influx of all windows being tinted (BC plates), 4-5 cars in a row turning on red lights at every intersection, people speeding of course, just seems to be more of them now, and breaking traffic laws right in front of cops fairly consistently.

Why is this? It can't just be lack of resources, because I do see cops driving around, but I rarely ever see anyone pulled over. They just don't care?

It seems just seems to get worse and worse, and because covid broke our social contracts, people just aren't decent to each other at increasing rates, and aren't afraid of consequences because, well, why should they be? Cops aren't going to do anything about it.

Anyway, Karen mode off. Just wanted to whine a bit.


r/kelowna • • 3d ago

Mental health voluntary admission to KGH

57 Upvotes

I'm a 49 M and struggling really badly with severe depression at the moment. I'm admittedly not on any medication or undergoing any therapy or counseling currently, although plan to initiate action in both these regards soon.

There was a fairly helpful post on this topic a few months ago, but I was wondering if anyone else has any further experience they can share about any emergency type services that are locally available, such as going to urgent care, calling any of the hotlines such as 988 suicide line or the 310-6789 mental line. If things get any worse I do plan to call either 911 or go to the ER to self admit.