Abbotsford news

• Author casts net to solve B.C. 56-year ‘Free Willy’ orca mystery

  17-08-2026 20:00 via abbynews.com
  
  The plot of the ’90s feel-good movie Free Willy, about a young boy who helps a captive orca escape back into the wild, might sound far-fetched; but as the saying goes, truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.
  Greater Victoria has its own ‘Free Willy’ tale — a coastal mystery shrouded in the fog for more than five decades.
  In 1970, five killer whales were captured in Metchosin’s Pedder Bay. Months later, two of them escaped, their getaway made possible by a person &
  
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• Use of ATV in Okanagan backcountry reignites concerns over encampments amid fire risk

  17-08-2026 21:19 via abbynews.com
  
  An instance of someone driving an ATV on back country roads in the Okanagan has sparked fear of wildfires setting the backcountry ablaze.
  On Sunday night, Aug. 11, a trail camera set up by the Okanagan Forest Task Force (OFTF) captured an ATV travelling down Postill Lake Road around three to four kilometres from the road’s start. Normally, this wouldn’t be a problem, but the B.C. government has prohibited the use of off-road vehicles on Crown land until Oct. 9, as dry conditions are
  
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• Un-baa-lievable: Lamb fleeing Summerland wildfire rescued by firefighters

  17-08-2026 21:03 via abbynews.com
  
  A lamb trying to escape the flames from the Summerland wildfire hitched a ride with a member of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.
  The Conservation Officer Service posted the rescue story on Facebook.
  “Firefighters working in the area rescued a domestic lamb and turned it over to a member of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service,” reads the post.
  “The unusual passenger even spent part of the trip in the truck’s prisoner seat, making for a memorable photo and a positiv
  
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• 32 orphaned raccoons prepare for the wild at B.C. rehab centre

  17-08-2026 21:00 via abbynews.com
  
  They are being bottle-fed, tucked into incubators, given stuffed animals and challenged to find hidden food, all in preparation for one goal: getting back into the wild.
  The BC SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (Wild ARC) in Metchosin is currently caring for 32 young raccoons.
  Most arrived alone or with siblings after their parents were killed by human-related incidents like vehicle strikes. Some also had treatable eye issues, while a few suffered minor injuries following dog attacks.
  The r
  
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• Environment Canada rolls out new alert system for thunderstorms, tornadoes

  17-08-2026 20:44 via abbynews.com
  
  Environment Canada says its new weather alert system will help to better target notifications to a more precise location.
  Forecasters are now using a “polygon” system for thunderstorm and tornado warnings to trigger alert notifications to people along the weather system’s route.
  It was rolled out Aug. 11.
  That same day, Alberta was the first to receive one of these new targeted alerts, Jonathan Bau, senior meteorologist with Environment Canada, told Black Press Media.
  Environme
  
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• Abbotsford businesses get $1.95 million to protect against tariffs

  17-08-2026 20:30 via abbynews.com
  
  Amid the ongoing threats of tariffs and other trade obstacles, three Abbotsford businesses have been handed federal funding to sustain key commercial sectors.
  Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson recently made this announcement in Burnaby, where he said the government was giving money to 24 B.C. companies.
  Among the recipients were One Degree Organic Foods, Dynamic Fenestration, and Longboard Architectural Products, all of which are based in Abbotsford.
  One Degree Organic Foods r
  
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• Snowbird RV Show and Sale returning to Abbotsford

  17-08-2026 20:13 via abbynews.com
  
  Western Canada’s biggest recreational vehicle event of the fall returns to Abbotsford’s Tradex from Sept. 17 to 20.
  The 31st annual Snowbird RV Show and Sale brings hundreds of RVs, established dealers, industry experts and outdoor lifestyle exhibitors under one roof with more than 120,000 square feet of activity.
  The event is designed for both experienced RVers and first-time buyers and is a chance to learn more about the ins and outs of the industry ahead of the upcoming travel sea
  
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• 3 out of control fires burning in the North Island

  17-08-2026 19:26 via abbynews.com
  
  Several new wildfires have been recorded in the North Island region.
  14 wildfires are burning in the region as of Aug. 17. However, the BC Wildfire Service notes all of them as under a hectare. The majority of them are also classified as being held or under control. Three of them are out of control.
  V91619 (Bonanza Lake) is just south of Port McNeill. Currently listed at 0.009 hectares, the suspected cause is lightning. The fire was discovered on Aug. 14.
  Another out-of-control fire is northwest
  
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• Ainslie Creek wildfire threatens historic Alexandra Lodge in Fraser Canyon

  17-08-2026 19:06 via abbynews.com
  
  The Ainslie Creek wildfire in the Fraser Canyon is burning in terrain directly above the Alexandra Lodge, threatening the historic structure, parts of which date back to 1864.
  BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) reports that the fire is continuing to burn during the day, while burning more intensely and moving more quickly through the night due to downslope winds.
  It has now moved into the area above Chapman’s Bar in the Fraser River. Alexandra Lodge sits on the east side of Highway 1 between Chapm
  
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• UPDATE: Evacuation order continues for rural Beaton properties, amid Johnson Creek wildfire

  17-08-2026 18:53 via abbynews.com
  
  Five properties near the rural community of Beaton remain on evacuation order along the Incomappleux Forest Service Road (FSR) and Fish River Road, due to the growing Johnson Creek wildfire.
  The City of Revelstoke issued the order at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, on behalf of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s Area B, and on the advice of BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
  Three Incomappleux FSR properties (3211, 3227 and 3730) and two Fish River Road properties (2728 and 2855) have been asked
  
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• Calling all paws: Dogs wanted in White Rock for 91st birthday love

  17-08-2026 18:12 via abbynews.com
  
  Attention White Rock and South Surrey dog guardians: your fur babies are wanted for a very special— and a very pawsitive — birthday request.
  A man posted in a local community group on social media about his mom, Ruth, who is turning 91 on Tuesday (Aug. 18), and how she’d love nothing better than to have some canine cuddles and ‘hellos’ for her birthday.
  “My mother is wheelchair-bound for the rest of her life and she misses her dog that passed away a couple of
  
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• Twin Lakes wildfire under control

  17-08-2026 17:30 via abbynews.com
  
  The 13-hectare Twin Lakes wildfire west of Hemlock Valley and east of Mission is under control.
  The blaze was discovered at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 7, approximately 25 km northeast of Stave Falls, near Twin Bridges and Statlu Creek. The fire is also north of Dickson Lake, a water source for Mission and Abbotsford.
  The fire was listed as out of control for almost a week before BC Wildfire Service changed its status to “being held” on Thursday (Aug. 13).
  As of the latest update
  
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• 18-year-old ticketed for excessive speeding on Hwy. 1 in Abbotsford

  17-08-2026 16:59 via abbynews.com
  
  Abbotsford police disciplined an 18-year-old after he was allegedly travelling at nearly twice the speed limit with alcohol in his system on Sunday morning (Aug. 16).According to a social media post from the Abbotsford Police Department, a 2023 Hyundai Genesis was spotted “at a very high rate of speed” at approximately 6:20 a.m. in the ​ Whatcom Road and Highway 1 area.
  After merging onto the highway, police say the Genesis was clocked travelling at 191 km/h in a 100 km/h zone.
  
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• No injuries reported after shooting in Abbotsford

  17-08-2026 16:27 via abbynews.com
  
  No injuries were reported after a shooting in Abbotsford on Saturday (Aug. 15).
  According to the Abbotsford Police Department’s weekend recap, a home was shot at in the 2100 block of Enderby Street.
  Police said investigators are working to determine the circumstances and motive surrounding the shooting, but they are “unclear at this time”.
  Follow-up work related to the overnight shooting continued for officers on Sunday (Aug. 16).
  
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• North end of Westside Road reopens amid Vernon’s Bradley Creek wildfire

  17-08-2026 15:00 via abbynews.com
  
  As some more evacuation orders were downgraded to alerts on Sunday night (Aug. 16) at the Bradley Creek wildfire, the north end of Westside Road also reopened.
  Westside Road from Highway 97 (Vernon) to Simla Road reopened at 9 p.m. on Sunday night as residents were able to return home.However, the entirety of the road isn’t open yet as Westside Road remains closed in both directions from Komasket Road to Simla Road for an 8.1 kilometre stretch.
  At this time, one evacuation order and two ev
  
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• Around 500 personnel continues to battle Bald Range wildfire in Summerland

  17-08-2026 14:28 via abbynews.com
  
  BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) crews are continuing to battle the Bald Range wildfire on Monday, Aug. 17.
  In a video update on Sunday, Aug. 16, BCWS incident commander Hugh Murdoch said the fire is continuing to move west, where it will turn into a “more traditional fire fight.”
  Overnight, ground crews continued to build guard and hold established control lines in the northwest part of the blaze. Structure protection crews also worked throughout the night.
  On Sunday, 13 helicopters combi
  
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• More evacuation orders downgraded to alerts for Bradley Creek wildfire

  17-08-2026 04:22 via abbynews.com
  
  An evacuation order for several properties in Area “B” of the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) has been downgraded to evacuation alert as of 6 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 16).
  Residents who can now begin their return home include those at 570, 576, 590, 610, 614, 620, 640, 644, 664, 668, and 678 Irish Creek Road.
  The following properties are still on evacuation alert:
  17 and 65 Cain Road;
  131, 252, 351, 425, 485, 631, and 635 Nashwito Road;
  10, 15, 50, and 93 Banks Road;
  79, 305, 311
  
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• Bald Range fire: Orders downgraded for some, alerts issued for others, Highway 97 reopened for all

  17-08-2026 00:57 via abbynews.com
  
  More Summerland residents are able to return home, more regional district properties are on evacuation alert, and Highway 97 has reopened 24/7 to all traffic between Penticton and Peachland.
  As of noon on Sunday, the District of Summerland downgraded an evacuation order to an evacuation alert for properties east of Highway 97 — McDouglad Road and South, as well as for properties in Trout Creek on the west side of Highway 97.
  This is the second group of people allowed to return in what offi
  
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• VIDEO: Song about Summerland fire debuts at charity event

  16-08-2026 21:30 via abbynews.com
  
  An encounter with the wildfires that ravaged the Summerland area has inspired a song of hope that made its debut at the RibFest charitable fundraiser in Langley, the result of a collaboration by two Rotary Club members.
  “There is no home/when there is no home/But I feel a kinship/Even though I’m all alone,” says the lyrics to “The Summerland Song.”Langley Rotarian and lyricist Robin McIntosh was inspired to write and produce the song based on fellow Rotarian Jami Wa
  
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• Ainslie Creek wildfire burns to Alexandra Tunnel in Fraser Canyon

  16-08-2026 20:05 via abbynews.com
  
  The Ainslie Creek wildfire, between Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon, Highway 5 (Coquihalla), and Highway 8, was estimated at 65,086 hectares as of Sunday morning (Aug. 16) and is still burning out of control.
  Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon remains closed between Toll Road (Yale) and Aspen Road (south of Boston Bar), with no estimated date of reopening. Highways 5 and 8 are still open, but could close suddenly and with little notice. For up-to-date highway closure information, visit DriveBC.
  
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• Multiple planned ignitions scheduled for Pear Lake fire near Clinton

  16-08-2026 19:33 via abbynews.com
  
  The Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton received some precipitation on Saturday, but it is still burning out of control, and as of Sunday morning (Aug. 16) was estimated at 159,317 hectares.
  BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says that while Saturday’s precipitation will have a positive impact in the short-term, it comes after a prolonged period of drought in the area, meaning fuels will quickly dry out and be more susceptible to ignition.
  The region is moving into a period of stable dry and hot weath
  
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• Visitor survey looks at economic, environmental value of protecting Cultus Lake

  16-08-2026 14:30 via abbynews.com
  
  A survey for Cultus Lake visitors will help a preservation society and local governments make decisions about future investments in the lake’s health.
  The Cultus Lake Stewardship Society is partnering with researchers at UBC Okanagan on a study examining the economic and environmental value of protecting Cultus Lake, said society chair Coralea Towler.
  Cultus Lake visitors are invited to participate in the online survey which asks them about their visits to the lake, including their activit
  
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• City of Revelstoke issues wildfire evacuation order for 5 rural properties near Beaton

  16-08-2026 04:54 via abbynews.com
  
  An evacuation order has been issued by the City of Revelstoke for five properties near the rural community of Beaton, along the Incomappleux Forest Service Road (FSR) and Fish River Road, due to the growing Johnson Creek wildfire.
  The city issued the order at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, on behalf of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s Area B, and on the advice of BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
  Three Incomappleux FSR properties (3211, 3227 and 3730) and two Fish River Road properties (2728
  
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• UPDATE: Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton grows to nearly 160,000 hectares

  16-08-2026 03:06 via abbynews.com
  
  UPDATE: 6 p.m.
  The Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton has grown to nearly 160,000 hectares, according to the latest update by BCWS.
  As of 5:36 p.m., the blaze is marked at 159,317 hectares, growing well into Saturday evening.Seven evacuation orders and eight evacuation alerts remain in place for the wildfire of note.Nearly 480 firefighters are attacking the blaze, with an additional 21 helicopters, 131 pieces of heavy equipment and 131 structure protection personnel.
  For Clinton, crews are engaging
  
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• PHOTOS: Chilliwack Mural Festival turns downtown into outdoor art gallery

  16-08-2026 02:51 via abbynews.com
  
  Professional muralists and the general public had the chance to add artwork to downtown Chilliwack while taking part in an annual festival on Saturday.
  The seventh annual Chilliwack Mural Festival brought colour and creativity to the community as people of all ages came out to the festival’s street party on Aug. 15.
  There was a graffiti wall, mural cubes, live music, food trucks and various vendors set up throughout the downtown core, including Central Community Park, Mill Street and Distr
  
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• City of Revelstoke issues evacuation order for Fish River Road area due to wildfire

  16-08-2026 01:38 via abbynews.com
  
  An evacuation order has been issued by the City of Revelstoke for the Fish River Road and Incomappleux River Forest Service Road area due to wildfire activity in the vicinity of Beaton.The city issued the order Saturday afternoon on behalf of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) Electoral Area B, and on the advice of BC Wildfire Service.The order area is limited to the properties and lands located within the highlighted evacuation order polygons shown on the official evacuation order ma
  
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• Okanagan protesters spread awareness of campaign to recall MLA Tara Armstrong

  16-08-2026 01:00 via abbynews.com
  
  A petition to recall Tara Armstrong hasn’t gone live yet, but a small group of protesters in Coldstream are already making sure residents are aware of the effort to remove the Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream MLA from office.About half a dozen Coldstream residents took to the corner of Kalamalka Lake Road and Westkal Road Friday, Aug. 14, bearing signs that highlighted the Recall Tara Armstrong campaign.
  “We’re out here because we feel very strongly that there is a l
  
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• Ainslie Creek wildfire showing growth on southwest flank in Fraser Canyon

  16-08-2026 00:03 via abbynews.com
  
  There have been no new evacuation orders or alerts issued since Aug. 11 in response to the Ainslie Creek wildfire, which continues to burn out of control between Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon and Highway 5 (Coquihalla).
  As of Saturday (Aug. 15), the fire was estimated at 64,674 hectares. At its northeastern tip the fire is burning towards Highway 8 at Nooaitch, while on the southeast it is burning towards Highway 5. Both highways remain open at this time, but could close suddenly and with littl
  
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• UPDATE: More Summerland wildfire evacuees could return home Sunday, CAO says

  15-08-2026 23:33 via abbynews.com
  
  UPDATE: 2 p.m.
  The pace is picking up on staged re-entry into Summerland for evacuees of the devastating Bald Range wildfire.
  “I’m planning on rolling with a larger area than originally planned tomorrow (Aug. 16),” Summerland CAO Graham Statt said.“It’s not going to be all of Summerland. We have damaged areas, we still have areas with downed power lines. But for the areas further away from the fire and the least impacted, we’re bundling those together and tryi
  
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• Man fatally struck by train in Chilliwack

  15-08-2026 22:16 via abbynews.com
  
  A man is dead after being struck by a train in Chilliwack Friday evening.
  The fatal collision happened around 9:45 p.m. on Aug. 14.
  When police arrived on scene they found the male pedestrian underneath the Yale Road overpass. Paramedics with BC Emergency Health Services also attended and confirmed the man was deceased, RCMP stated in a press release the next day (Aug. 15).
  Chilliwack RCMP are now asking anyone who was in the area at the time, or who witnessed the collision, to call police at 60
  
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