Keremeos Creek Wildfire Impacting Parts of Okanagan-Similkameen

The Keremeos Creek Wildfire is impacting parts of the Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen, including Keremeos, Hedley, Olalla, Skaha West, Kaleden, Apex, and Highway 3a. There are several evacuation orders and alerts in place, as well as heavy smoke over Olalla and Marsel.

The BC Wildfire Service is managing the situation and crews continue to work around the clock to protect structures.

For up to date information, see the BC Wildfire Service info page and the DriveBC Current Incidents page.

Summer 2021 Kettle Valley Rail Trail Upgrades Complete

 Upgrades were implemented to improve the trail users experience

Before

After

Kelowna, B.C. - The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) in coordination with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) and Recreation Sites and Trails BC (RSTBC) have completed trail improvements along the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail, in the Central Okanagan. TOTA's involvement was primarily the 16 km section between Bellevue Trestle (above Kelowna) and Chute Lake, two very popular sections of the KVR. 

The improvements included raising the tread (trail surface) of selected sections that saw annual flooding, followed by capping of the repaired sub base with 1.91 cm minus aggregate to create a rideable trail tread and prevent any drainage issues. Locations were identified by a professional Geotechnical Engineer and the project was completed using heavy machinery and hauling up the proper aggregate. 

The work upgrades were undertaken to improve the worst segments of the approximately 16 km subsection of trail. Altogether, approximately 20 segments were repaired making up about 3 km of accumulated trail surface. These improvements are necessary to enhance the overall user experience along the KVR. TOTA will continue to work with partners to evaluate future areas of need, working to develop a world class cycling experience, which will encourage sustainable and responsible tourism to the Thompson Okanagan region.

The KVR is a remote trail that has ongoing maintenance challenges, and users should prepare accordingly for differing trail conditions dependent on the season.

TOTA is pleased to have undertaken this work to create a better KVR experience through the support of Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure (CERIP) program funding, received through the Ministry of Forest Lands Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development to enable TOTA to contribute to this project and implement these changes along the trail. We also appreciate the work that many have undertaken to improve the trail over the past many months, including the RDOS, RSTBC, Chute Lake Lodge and others.

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About

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA):

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by and representative of Destination British Columbia British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Arts, & Culture. It is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies. For more information, visit TOTABC.org. For more information about the KVR Trail visit bcrailtrails.com.

Western Economic Diversification Canada

Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure

Ministry of Forest Lands Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development

Chute Lake Lodge