What to do if under an evacuation order or alert
Due to the ongoing threat of wildfires to communities and citizens, many communities around British Columbia have been put on evacuation order or evacuation alert, and the Province is asking people to be prepared. Individuals in communities that have been placed under an evacuation alert must be prepared to leave their homes...
UPDATE: Evacuation alerts issued for more parts of Castlegar
An interface wildfire near Castlegar has grown to seven hectares and is zero per cent contained, according to BC Wildfire Service, but the City of Castlegar Emergency Operations Centre says the blaze within city limits is contained. Twenty-five firefighters, two airtankers and two helicopters are attacking the fire. "At 5:20...
Mountie and paddle boarder extracted by helicopter after heroic river rescue
A Mountie in BC’s Columbia Valley is being celebrated for risking his own life to save another. The police officer, a four-year member of Canada’s national police force and accomplished swimmer, jumped into action on Tuesday to guide a paddle boarder, struggling against the river’s current, safely to shore. On June 29, 2021...
OP/ED: An update on BC’s last remaining old growth forests
Earlier this month, as public pressure mounted in Fairy Creek, across the province, and right here in the West Kootenays, the BC NDP Government finally honoured the request of the Pacheedaht, Ditidaht, and Huu-ay-aht First Nations, and deferreding (temporarily stopped) old-growth logging in the Fairy Creek watershed and central...
FortisBC shatters record peak summer demand for power
In a media release Tuesday, FortisBC said the power company hit a new summer record for peak hourly demand on our electric system Monday. “The peak load was 735 megawatts,” a FortisBC media rep said in an emailed statement. “This exceeded the record set the previous day, which was 673 megawatts.” “By comparison, previous to […]
Campfires prohibited in British Columbia
Effective at noon (Pacific time) on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, campfires, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires will be prohibited throughout the province of British Columbia. This prohibition will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded. The provincial weather forecast calls for record-breaking...
RCMP locate, rescue dog being hauled along highway inside crate
RCMP investigated after public reports of a dog in a crate strapped to the rear of a recreational trailer travelling between the lower mainland and the South Okanagan. On June 27 at 8:21 p.m., the Keremeos RCMP received a call from a concerned member of the public after they recognized a recreational trailer travelling on...
Weekly Update: Columbia Avenue Redevelopment Project - Phase 2
Last week Copcan worked on finishing the road grading on Columbia Avenue, and started paving the road between 21st and 23rd street. They also prepped driveway tie-ins and prepared for the future installation of landscape items like banner poles, trees, and lights. Next week. you will still expect to see: Asphalt pavement...
Five arrested in Trail as police investigate suspected drug trafficking
On Thursday, June 24, at around 3 p.m., Trail and Greater District RCMP executed a search warrant under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act on a residence and recreational vehicle in the 1000 block of Birch Avenue, in Trail. "RCMP officers conducted an investigation into alleged drug trafficking believed to be occurring...
Category 2 fire prohibitions to start in the Southeast Fire Centre
Effective at 12:00 pm (noon) on Friday, June 25, 2021, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, as well as other equipment and activities will be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre. This prohibition is being implemented due to increased fire danger ratings caused by a warming trend throughout the Southeast Fire...
