14th Annual Permaculture Design Course in Winlaw this August
The Kootenay Permaculture Institute in partnership with Selkirk College is offering the 14th annual Permaculture Design Course in Winlaw, August 16-29, 2015. Permaculture is a holistic approach to land-use planning. The permaculture concept originated in Australia in the late 70s and now many people, organizations and companies...
UPDATED: Both Sitkum Creek and Mount Aylwin Evacuation Alerts rescinded
On the advice of the BC Wildfire Service, the Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Operations Centre has rescinded the Evacuation Alert for residents in the area of the Mount Aylwin wildfire. The active wildfire, reported Friday and located two kilometres south of Silverton and east of Highway 6, near the base of...
West Kootenay EcoSociety back in court to eliminate Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality
The West Kootenay EcoSociety is overwhelmed by the decision by the recent announcement made by Environment Minister Mary Polak that the Jumbo Glacier Resort project cannot proceed with unless a new certificate is obtained. However, the West Kootenay EcoSociety plans to continue the court process to overturn the creation of ...
UPDATED: Southeast Fire Centre says Sitkum Creek wildfire 30 percent contained; Mount Aylwin 10 percent
Southeast Fire Centre are beginning to get a handle on the two major wildfies in the region. Southeast Fire Centre said Sitkum Creek and Mount Aylwin interface wildfires are 30 percent and 10 percent contained, respectively, as of Monday morning. "The primary objective of BC Wildfire Service Crews is to limit the fire spread...
Low flying Loonie makes shopping at home at lot more attractive
A low flying loonie of late has feathered the local economy as those who once flocked over the border to shop in the U.S. are choosing to nest at home. Currently the loonie sits at 0.79 versus the US Dollar. Since 2013 the Canadian dollar has been dropping from a near-parity perch to trading at about 79 cents U.S. What that...
New Guidebook for Managing Bats in Buildings
Summer is the season when property owners notice bats in their buildings. They may find guano on the deck, hear bats in the walls, or smell a build-up of guano. The Kootenay Community Bat Project, funded by the Columbia Basin Trust, has received numerous calls with these issues. In many cases, landowners are happy to leave ...
UPDATED: Lightning caused Mount Aylwin wildfire near Silverton new hotspot for Southeast Fire Centre
The BC Wildfire Service is working hard to contain the Mount Aylwin wildfire, located two kilometres south of Silverton and east of Highway 6. The lightning caused interface wildfire, near the base of Mount Aylwin, was discovered Friday (July 10). Currently there are 20 firefighters on the ground battling the blaze with the...
Fire Centre urges continued vigilance; five spot fires near Castlegar
The Southeast Fire Centre is dealing with five wildfires in fairly close proximity to Castlegar today, according to fire information officer Fanny Bernard. The closest – and largest – is at China Creek, eight kilometres (km) west of the Columbia River. It’s roughly 0.6 hectares in size. There’s another near South Bear Paw...
Brief storm brings new fires; little relief
A short storm this evening that many hoped would bring relief to fire ravaged local forests has done more harm than good, according to Southeast Fire Centre information officer Jordan Turner, who said there are four more fires reported in the greater Castlegar area, with more likely to follow. "There are a few fires around...
BC Wildfire Service announces burn out operations planned for the Sitkum Creek Wildfire
The BC Wildfire Service is advising the residents living around Nelson of an increase of smoke surrounding the Sitkum Creek Wildfire as a result of proactive burn out operations. The BC Wildfire Service advised the public in a media release. "The wildfire is located in very steep and dangerous terrain and this burn out is...
