Many big stories dominated the news in Penticton in 2023, but the one that saw the most Western News readers was the wildfires in the Okanagan.
Sadly, this year91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s wildfire season was the worst in B.C. history, with thousands evacuated in West Kelowna and parts of Vernon and many homes lost in those areas. The South Okanagan had its own share of wildfires, starting with the fire that jumped the border into Osoyoos, then the Crater Creek wildfire that exploded to over 40,000 hectares followed by the Twin Lakes wildfire that caused evacuations and saw firefighters having to work in steep terrain.
The fires wreaked havoc on our tourism industry and caused the cancellation of Penticton Iron Man.
The other story that dominated the news was the two rock slides on Highway 97 in Summerland and north of Summerland. Both closed the highway in both directions for some time and the second rock slide north of Summerland happened during South Okanagan91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s busy tourist summer season. It91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s still a long road ahead of closures and work for the slide north of Summerland.
Here91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s hoping 2024 will bring some reprieve from natural disasters.
Top 15 most viewed stories of 2023 in Penticton
1. B.C. Wildfires: Non-essential travel restricted to many Okanagan communities
2. Video: Huge dust cloud from the Summerland slide
3. Scary moments in rural Penticton end with arrests in West Kelowna
4. Slide in Summerland closes Highway 97
5. Okanagan wildfires - what you need to know
6. Kelowna RCMP vacuum up thieves who return to the scene of the crime
7. Penticton taking over Kelowna as Okanagan real estate hot spot
8. Best of the South Okanagan 2023
9. Evacuations underway for new wildfire near Twin Lakes
10. Sumac Ridge winery in Summerland closes its doors
11. Involuntary treatment needed, say Penticton Enough is Enough rally
12. Severe thunderstorm alert issued for BC Interior
13. Breaking: Crews responding to fast moving grass fire in Penticton
14: Apex Mountain resident takes picture in same spot every year for 6 years
15: 30 suits in 5 years, Okanagan contractor owes thousands of dollars
