Crews battle more than 60 fires from long-weekend lightning
Video captured by Chris Sapriken A 120-hectare, lightning-caused wildfire in Slocan Valley remains uncontained today but is still almost two km away from homes and outbuildings, according to Southeast Fire Centre information officer Jordan Turner. Turner said the fire is threatening some towers and power lines, and crews have put in suppressant around those as […]
In loving memory of Paul Edwin Wolfe, July 6, 1916 - July 28, 2014
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Paul “Pop” Wolfe in Arrow Lakes Hospital, at the age of 98 years. Pop will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren; his extended family at Halcyon House; his nieces, nephews, extended family, and his many friends...
Mount Polley Disaster
In the early morning hours of August 4, BC Day, a catastrophic breach of Imperial Metals' Mount Polley tailings pond sent a slurry-like mixture of 10 million cubic metres of water and 4.5 million cubic metres of fine sediment into Polley Lake. Hazeltine Creek and into Quesnel Lake. The breach has endangered not only drinking...
Northwest BC shouldn't look to CBT as a model
Establishing the Northwest British Columbia Resource Benefits Alliance (RBA) was a good move by the region’s local governments. Their news release announces that one of its first priorities is to negotiate a revenue sharing agreement with the Province. It argues that communities need access to new long term sustainable revenue...
Selkirk College Trades Programs Benefit from Province’s LNG Funding
As part of British Columbia's Skills for Jobs Blueprint, Selkirk College will receive funding for an additional 54 training spaces to increase access and help reduce waitlists for trades critical to the liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other industries. The allocation is part of the $6.8 million announced earlier this week to...
UPDATED: 'Evacuation alert' remains for residents in Slocan Park area
Residents in the Slocan Valley need to be on alert for at least until Thursday as crews continue to battle the 120-hectare Slocan Park wildfire. “The fire is moving away from the community and fire guards have been constructed to protect homes and infrastructure,” said Terry Swan, the RDCK’s regional fire chief. The Southeast...
City issues release re: possible pending strike
Ed Note: The following is a press release issued by the City of Castlegar: After over a year of contract negotiations with its unionized CUPE 2262 employees, including two days of Labour Relations Board mediated talks, CUPE booked out the mediator and refused to take the City of Castlegar’s final offer to a vote of the...
Some Valley residents placed on 'evacuation alert' due to Slocan Park fire
Southeast Fire Centre Information Officer Jordan Turner said an “evacuation alert” given to residents in the Slocan Valley late Sunday night will remain in place despite the Slocan Park fire appearing to be moving in the opposite direction Monday. The alert was deemed necessary by the emergency operations centre at the Regional...
Smoke from Slocan Park fire can be seen from Nelson
The Southeast Fire Centre was inundated with calls Sunday after smoke could be seen billowing up over the mountains to the west of Nelson near the Slocan Valley. The smoke is coming from the Slocan Park fire, located 2.5 kilometers northwest of Highway 6 in the Slocan Valley. “The fire started Sunday morning and we’ve […]
Campfire ban begins Tuesday in Southeast Fire Centre
The BC Holiday weekend is almost over, but anyone remaining in campgrounds or in the wilderness is advised the Southeast Fire Centre is imposing a campfire ban beginning noon Pacific Time on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014. The ban is to help help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety and is in addition to an open ...
