By Katrine Conroy Minister responsible for the Columbia River Treaty On July 11, 2024, Canada and the U.S. reached a milestone in the process of modernizing the Columbia River Treaty – an agreement-in-principle (AIP) that sets the stage for an improved treaty that supports people and ecosystems on both sides of the border. Over the past […]

This week, many people in Kootenay West and beyond are feeling the impacts of wildfires. While you may not be directly impacted by wildfires this season, you likely have a friend or loved one who will be. These fires can start quickly and change fast. Though we can’t always predict emergencies, it’s important to know […]

On Friday, July 19, a frontline Trail and Greater RCMP officer received a report that an elderly Fruitvale woman was the victim of a telephone scam, according to RCMP Sgt. Mike Wicentowich. “An unknown suspect called the elderly woman and said her that her son had been arrested and was in jail,” Wicentowich said.  “The […]

On Friday, July 19, 2024, at 12 p.m., a frontline Trail and Greater District RCMP received a report that a topless 55-year-old Nelson woman was allegedly waving her shirt in the air and standing in the middle of the Hwy 22, near Trail, according to RCMP Sgt. Mike Wicentowich. He said the woman’s vehicle was […]

Through the remainder of the summer impaired driving campaign, BC Highway Patrol will increase impaired driving enforcement – with a focus around special events – in an effort to eliminate fatalities on BC highways. From the beginning of the summer impaired driving campaign, BC Highway Patrol has been conducting an extensive number of road blocks […]

Firefighters in the City of Nelson responded to numerous suspicious fire reports that rocked the city Wednesday evening, including a brush fire at Gyro Park that needed assistance from a near-by bucketing helicopter to extinguish Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said in a media release. The rush of calls started at 6:20 p.m. when several […]

The increase in the danger of fires in the North Kootenay region has forced the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), in conjunction with the BC Wildfire Service to move from an Evacuation Alert to an Evacuation Order for the communities of Argenta and Johnsons Landing in Electoral Area D due […]

The already roasting temperature in the Slocan Valley rose by several degrees Wednesday night as fire and regional district officials met with a heated group of valley residents in Winlaw to discuss the escalating conditions of several out-of-control wildfires. Over 200 people filled the gymnasium of Winlaw Elementary School to hear about the state of […]

On the recommendation of the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has expanded the existing Evacuation Order to include the entire Village of Silverton, and 17 surrounding addresses in Electoral Area “H”. This Order is adding to the existing Order areas south of the Village of […]

The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Slocan Lake Complex, including, but not limited to, the Aylwin Creek wildfire (N51065), Komonko Creek wildfire (N51210), Nemo Creek wildfire (N51103), Ponderosa FSR wildfire (N51069), and Mulvey Creek wildfire (N51117). In the interest of public and responder safety, an area restriction is now in effect within […]