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...
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 This prohibition will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 15, 2021, or until the order is rescinded.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...
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...
Five-alarm blaze destroys recycling plant
A massive fire in Waneta Industrial park yesterday completely levelled a recycling facility and kept 39 firefighters busy throughout the night. "Crews from Stn 371 - Rossalnd, Stn 372 - Warfield, Stn 374 - Trail, Stn 375 - Montrose and Stn 376 - Fruitvale responded to a five-alarm fire at GFL Trail Material Recovery Facility,"...
Selkirk College President Hits Road to Build Connections
Using the simple power of pedal, Selkirk College President Angus Graeme is connecting communities across the region and around the world. Now serving in his final year of a career at Selkirk College that spans three decades, the local college’s president will spend six days in July on his road bike pedaling 500 kilometres of...
Care Air and Angel Flight Service help local patient gain access to medical care
Kim Kostiuk, a patient from Cranbrook who had an appointment at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH), was transported to the Trail Regional Airport (YZZ) on Friday, June 17, 2021 through Angel Flight East Kootenay and returned to Cranbrook the same day. Care Air, the West Kootenay Angel Flight service, arranged for Kim’s ground transportation to […]
