Raging fires in central British Columbia and the Northwest Territories are forcing evacuations and wreaking havoc for travellers.
The B.C. government has declared a province-wide state of emerbc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-government-declares-province-wide-state-of-emergency-over-wildfire-situation-1.6525869gency due to the growing number of aggressive wildfires threatening communities.
CTV News said Premier David Eby announced the declaration at a news conference Friday, following a challenging 24 hours that saw fast-spreading wildfires trigger thousands of new evacuation orders and alerts across the province.
“We are facing the worst wildfire season in our province’s history — this unprecedented situation has come to a head this evening,” the premier said.
The CBC said homes have been destroyed in West Kelowna, B.C. and that fires are looming near Lytton and Invermere. Stretches of Highway One also are closed, the network said.
The Kelowna International Airport said on its site that all commercial flights have been suspended for now.
“The airspace surrounding Kelowna International Airport remains closed to allow aerial fire-fighting activity for the wildfires in the Kelowna area. All arriving/departing flights on Aug. 19 have been cancelled.
“The priority is the safety of our community and to allow access to the airspace required by aerial firefighters. YLW continues to work with our industry stakeholders, BC Wildfire Service, NavCanada and Transport Canada, to allow regular airport operations to resume.
The Yellowknife Airport shows a number of cancellations, but some flights are still operating.
Hundreds of people displaced by the ongoing wildfires raging in the Northwest Territories are arriving in Alberta and the NWT government is now directing remaining evacuation flights to Winnipeg, the CBC said.
Fires in West Kelowna, British Columbia. CBC photo
Air Canada has this note on site regarding Kelowna flights
Because of the Kelowna wildfires, we understand that you may want to make alternate travel arrangements. If you currently have a reservation, Air Canada has implemented a policy that makes it possible for you to make voluntary changes to your itinerary if:
- You purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than August 17, 2023, for travel between August 17 and August 31, 2023.
- Your itinerary includes a flight to or from Kelowna Airport (YLW).
If you are scheduled to travel during the affected period, you can retrieve your booking to change your flight, free of charge, to another date between now and September 30, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply.
You may also change your itinerary to travel to or from Penticton (YYF) or Kamloops (YKA) free of charge, within the same alternative travel dates.
If you choose to cancel your flight, you will receive a full refund.
If you purchased your ticket with Air Canada Vacations, please reach out to them directly.
And if you require assistance, you can contact us at 1-888-247-2262 (or 1 800 361-5373 if yours is an Aeroplan flight reward).
Air Canada has this note posted regarding Yellowknife
Because of the Yellowknife wildfires, we understand that you may want to make alternate travel arrangements. If you currently have a reservation, Air Canada has implemented a policy that makes it possible for you to make voluntary changes to your itinerary if:
- You purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than August 15th, 2023, for travel between August 15th and August 30th, 2023.
- Your itinerary includes a flight to or from Yellowknife Airport (YZF).
If you are scheduled to travel during the affected period, you can retrieve your booking to change your flight, free of charge, to another date between August 15th and September 30th, 2023, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply. Customers can also choose to change their flight to depart from or fly into North Peace Regional Airport (YXJ) in Fort St. John, B.C., or Grande Prairie Airport (YQU) or Edmonton International Airport (YEG) in Alberta free of charge, within the same alternative travel dates.
If you purchased your ticket with Air Canada Vacations, please reach out to them directly.
And if you require assistance, you can contact us at 1-888-247-2262 (or 1 800 361-5373 if yours is an Aeroplan flight reward)
WestJet has this note posted on its site regarding Kelowna
Flexible change/cancel guidelines are in effect for flights purchased on or before August 18, 2023 and original travel between August 18-31, 2023.
This may cause delays or cancellations, please check flight status.
For assistance with changes or cancellations, please contact us.
WestJet has this note posted about Yellowknife flights
Flexible change/cancel guidelines are in effect for flights purchased on or before August 15, 2023 and original travel betweeen August 15-30, 2023.
Check flight status
For assistance with changes or cancellations please contact us
