LEO Network

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The LEO Network is a worldwide network of observers and experts that share their observations of environmental change.
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Observations

Shifting Dominance in Ponderosa Pine Forests
An environmental impact assessment near Okanagan Lake reveals an unexpected shift from Ponderosa Pine to Douglas Fir dominance, attributed to fire suppression and climate change, challenging traditional forest dynamics.
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Rockslide closes Hwy 97 between Summerland and Peachland
Highway 97 between Summerland and Peachland in British Columbia, Canada is closed in both directions due to a rockslide, with no timeline for reopening and the only approved detour being via highways 97C, 5A, 3, and 33.
Summerland, British Columbia, Canada
Castanet

Stay or flee: the decisions First Nations people are making in the face of B.C. wildfires
With wildfires raging across the Interior of B.C., and many First Nations being ordered to evacuate, community members say the decision to stay or go can be tough.
Sorrento, British Columbia, Canada
CBC

Boy, 9, died of asthma attack made worse by wildfire smoke, parents say
Grieving parents who lost their nine-year-old boy last week say their son died after a severe asthma attack made worse by wildfire smoke engulfing parts of British Columbia.
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
CBC

More buildings lost in main B.C. fire as heat wave is set to bake B.C.
The wildfire has now grown to 565 square kilometres in size.
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
vancouversun

B.C. heat wave 'cooks' fruit crops on the branch in sweltering Okanagan and Fraser valleys
Farmers are trying to salvage their cherry crops following damage from a week of extreme temperatures. Cherry crops in the BC Interior have been burned due to the extreme temperatures brought by the heat wave at the end of June.
Peachland, British Columbia, Canada
CBC

Dozens of bear paws, their claws removed, dumped roadside next to Shuswap Lake
Brandi Hansen, a longtime hunter and outdoorswoman, found the paws across the lake from Salmon Arm between Scotch Creek and Anglemont, they were dumped by a culvert, although some had been dragged to the road and scattered, likely by other animals. Hansen suspects poachers are to blame.
Sicamous, British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver Sun

Surprise flooding hits several Kelowna neighbourhoods
Debris torrents and blockages, possibly triggered by a rainstorm high in the watershed, caused Mill Creek to overflow, flooding homes and streets.
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

Kamloops expecting mini-heat wave late this week
"Environment Canada is currently predicting highs of 21–22 C Friday to Sunday this week (Thursday is just short at 19 C). That's well above the normal for this time of year, says Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa Erven, which usually sits at 17 C, but won't be record setting."
Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Adams River sockeye salmon run lacking fish this year
One short section of the river that last year at Thanksgiving had more than 100 fish in it, this year on the same weekend had less than 20.
Adam's River, BC, Canada
Castanet

Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) in Kelowna
At 4:30pm on Sept 9-2018, 15 year old Kalin Ocana found a female Orchard Oriole at Munson Pond. The bird was sitting in the grass at this l...
Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
BC Rare Bird Alerts

Temperature records broken across B.C., again
The first heat wave of the season went out with a bang across the province
Lake Cowichan Gazette

Some Parts of B.C. Just Got Hit With 20-40cm of Snow
Snow arrived in certain parts of British Columbia over the last 24 hours, providing citizens with up to a whopping 20 cm.
Silver Star Mountain Resort, British Columbia, Canada
604 Now

More than 50,000 starlings euthanized in the Okanagan last year
An Okanagan program was designed 15 years ago to control the invasive species of starlings
Okanagan, British Columbia, Canada
Port Alberni Valley News

Algae blooms throughout BC Interior
Concerns about water safety for human and animal consumption for drinking and for recreation.
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada

Life returning to normal in Kamloops as wildfire evacuees head home
Looking around the deserted plaza in front of the Sandman Centre arena in Kamloops on Monday, it’s hard to believe that last month it was crammed with thousands of people who were looking for help after being forced from their homes by wildfires.
Vancouver Sun

No end in sight for B.C. wildfires, one month since state of emergency declared
Wildfire conditions remained 'static' during the long weekend but fires still a concern through August
Yukon News

Air Quality Advisory due to Wildfires

Indigenous fire clearing could prevent future wildfire infernos
One B.C. First Nation is preparing to revive traditional firekeeping to rejuvenate the forest and reduce the risk of destructive forest fires.
Peachland, British Columbia, Canada
Metro Vancouver

BC wildfires caused in part by and contributing to climate change
In some recent years, GHG emissions from BC wildfires have been more than from all other sectors put together
The Climate Examiner

18 temperature records smashed
Temperature records were broken around the province with Vernon breaking an 111-year-old record
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
Lake Cowichan Gazette

Algae bloom prompts warning to avoid part of Okanagan Lake
The Okanagan Indian Band is advising residents to not enter or consume water from the north arm of Okanagan Lake until further notice due to a toxic algae bloom.
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
CBC News

Record flooding levels on Okanagan Lake

Evacuation alert issued for wildfire near Lumby
More firefighters are expected to go to a wildfire burning out of control near Lumby, B.C. on Wednesday.
Lumby, British Columbia, Canada
CBC News

Landslide forces evacuations, flooding fears persist near Kelowna, B.C.
A landslide has forced residents of 17 properties to flee their homes near Kelowna, B.C., as flooding continues to threaten the area.
CTVNews

The worst may be yet to come as the flood risk rises in the Okanagan - NEWS 1130
NEWS 1130

Kelowna mayor warns residents to prepare for unprecedented flooding tonight
'As a community, we need to come together and look after each other,' mayor says
CBC News

Okanagan flooding expected to be ‘unlike anything ever seen,' Kelowna mayor warns
British Columbia’s Okanagan region is bracing for a storm that Kelowna’s mayor worries could unleash the worst flooding the region has ever seen.
Vancouver Sun

Water rising in Interior
With warmer temperatures in the forecast, the province has issued a high streamflow warning for streams and rivers across the Interior. Currently, Nicola Lake is about one metre below the minor flooding point, and it's forecast to continue climbing over the next 30 days.
Castanet

Lake Level Peak Elevation Shift, Shuswap Lake
Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada

Lynx Spotted in Kamloops Suburbs

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