BC Wildfire Services welcomes first wave of support
The provincial government announced the first of 310 firefighting personnel from other Canadian agencies began arriving in British Columbia on Sunday, July 9, 2017, to help the BC Wildfire Service get the upper hand on the 225 wildfires that are burning in the province. Under normal circumstances, the BC Wildfire Service has sufficient staff, aircraft […]
RCMP investigate accident that claimed life of Grand Forks woman
A Grand Forks woman has died and the 13-year-old female was severely injured after a two-vehicle collision early Sunday near the community of Jaffray in the East Kootenay. Cranbrook RCMP said the collision occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. when an east bound pickup truck crossed the center of the roadway, for unknown reasons, into the […]
ICBC offers important information for customers affected by wildfires
With the province under a state of emergency due to the hundreds of wildfires in progress throughout B.C., ICBC is advising customers to protect their vehicles and important documents and to avoid driving near impacted areas. For customers on evacuation alert: Pack all essential ID and documents in preparation for an evacuation. These documents include […]
Bombi fire quickly extinguished
A vehicular fire up the Bombi, which frightened many residents, was quickly extinguished by the Volunteer Ootischenia Fire Department. OFD Chief George Hamm said the car was fully involved upon arrival of fire crews, with, `fire rolling down the hill because of the oil leak,`and a section of forest about 10 feet by 8 feet...
RDCK encourages residents following provincial state of emergency
After Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Emergency Management BC, announced a provincial state of emergency Friday, the Regional District of Central Kootenay has sent out its own release asking the public to be ready in case wildfires strike the region. In a release Saturday,...
UPDATED: Special Weather Statement ends as temperatures begin to cool
Environment Canada has ended the Special Weather Statement for the Boundary/West Kootenay as temperatures begin to cool into Sunday evening and Monday. The Environment Canada Monday forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud, becoming cloudy near noon with 60 percent chance of showers in the afternoon as well as a risk of a […]
Campfires now banned in our region
Effective at noon Pacific time on Friday, July 7, 2017, campfires are prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. This campfire ban will remain in place until the public is otherwise notified. The Southeast Fire Centre is currently experiencing dry conditions...
UPDATED: Fire wardens on patrol in the Southeast Fire Centre
The BC Wildfire Service is not taking any chances with people being careless not that the campfire ban has been issued for the Southeast Fire Centre. The BC Wildfire Service is putting the public on notice that fire wardens will be on patrol in the Southeast Fire Centre and educating people about the campfire ban […]
Canada Day 150 carries special meaning for pair of Nelsonites
Canada Day 2017 going to carry more of a special meaning to a pair of Nelson friends than it just being Canada’s 150th birthday celebration. That was a day when quick thinking by a friend turned what could have been a catastrophe into a blessing on Kootenay Lake. “We want people to be careful and […]
US police find body of Trail man killed in watercraft mishap
On June 28, 2017 the body of Jeffrey David Bauder, aged 28 yrs, was located South of Northport Washington USA in the Columbia River. Bauder went missing and was presumed drowned after a water craft accident in the Columbia River in Trail on May 9, 2017. United States Forensic Examiners on this date positively identified...