Abbotsford news

• City of Abbotsford gets $7M for Fraser Highway project

  30-07-2026 20:24 via abbynews.com
  
  The City of Abbotsford has announced that it has received $7 million in federal funding for further improvements along Fraser Highway.
  The funding from the Build Communities Strong Fund will be used for the stretch of the highway between Mt. Lehman and Station roads, the city said in a press release.
  The total cost of the project is $13.5 million, with the remainder being funded by the city.
  The project is the second of three phases to improve the roadway and includes:
  • upgrading traffic s
  
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• ‘Rush of 10,000 people’ come into Penticton, flee fast-moving Bald Range wildfire

  08-08-2026 21:27 via abbynews.com
  
  Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield said he’s seen an “outpour of support” toward the thousands of Summerland evacuees who were ordered to leave their homes overnight due to the Bald Range wildfire.
  Residents have stepped up with donations of food, water, blankets, and bedding as evacuees stay inside both the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre (PTCC) and the Sportsplex dome at King’s Park.
  “Suddenly, we had the population of Summerland, which is roughly 25 per cent
  
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• BCHL to oversee Island hockey league under renewed deal

  08-08-2026 20:30 via abbynews.com
  
  A partnership between two independent junior hockey leagues with Vancouver Island roots is set to enter a new phase.
  The British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) have extended their partnership under an enhanced management agreement, with the BCHL office set to oversee VIJHL operations beginning with the 2027-28 season.
  The BCHL office will operate the VIJHL at the direction of the VIJHL board of governors and executive committee. The length of the
  
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• Penticton Peach Festival cancels all Saturday activities due to Bald Range fire

  08-08-2026 20:22 via abbynews.com
  
  Penticton Peach Festival organizers have cancelled all activities on Saturday (Aug. 8) amid the Bald Range wildfire that evacuated the entire community of Summerland overnight.
  The announcement comes after the festival’s annual parade did not proceed on Saturday morning.
  “We are currently facing an evolving situation with a level of uncertainty that is beyond our control,” event organizers said. “What remains firmly within our control is our commitment to putting the safe
  
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• Four fires burning near Clinton grow to nearly 200,000 hectares

  08-08-2026 20:04 via abbynews.com
  
  The wildfires in and around the Big Bar complex near Clinton are still burning out of control, and as of Saturday morning (Aug. 8) cover an area of almost 200,000 hectares.
  The Pear Lake fire near Clinton is estimated at 136,485 hectares, while the Rim Lake fire between Loon Lake and Chasm is estimated at 4,795 hectares. The French Bar Creek fire around Big Bar is estimated at 39,044 hectares.
  The Bonanza Creek wildfire, burning to the west of the Pear Lake and French Bar Creek fires, is not cur
  
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• Suspected targeted overnight shooting in Surrey leaves one injured

  08-08-2026 19:39 via abbynews.com
  
  One person was injured in a suspected targeted late-night shooting in Surrey.Police responded to the shooting around 11:44 p.m. Friday (Aug. 7) outside a home near 88 Ave and 127 Street. The suspect had fled the scene before police arrived, but they located the victim, a man who had a gunshot wound.BC Emergency Health Services transported the man to a local hospital with “non-life-threatening injuries.”Surrey Police’s major crime section is investigating the shooting, and they
  
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• UPDATE: Small wildfire north of Hope now being held

  08-08-2026 18:40 via abbynews.com
  
  UPDATE:
  As of 10:34 a.m. on Aug. 8, the wildfire was classified as ‘being held’, according to BC Wildfire Service.
  ORIGINAL STORY:
  A small out-of-control wildfire was discovered north of Hope on Friday.
  The fire (V11487) is one hectare in size and was found on Aug. 7 near Puckat Creek, according to BC Wildfire Service.
  Aviation crews and a response officer are on scene, and ground crews have been assigned to the fire.
  The suspected cause of the fire is under investigation.
  
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• Small out-of-control wildfire sparks north of Hope

  08-08-2026 18:40 via abbynews.com
  
  A small out-of-control wildfire was discovered north of Hope on Friday.
  The fire (V11487) is one hectare in size and was found on Aug. 7 near Puckat Creek, according to BC Wildfire Service.
  Aviation crews and a response officer are on scene, and ground crews have been assigned to the fire.
  The suspected cause of the fire is under investigation.
  
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• Annual meteor shower brings stargazers to Aldergrove park

  08-08-2026 18:00 via abbynews.com
  
  Stargazers from around the region will come to Aldergrove Regional Park on Aug. 15 to check out an annual light show in the sky – the Perseid meteor shower.
  There are between 50 and 100 shooting stars over the course of the night, said Vanessa Lee, a park interpretation specialist for Metro Vancouver Regional Parks.
  A shooting star is a meteor – a piece of rock, ice, or metal that is pulled into earth’s atmosphere by the planet’s gravity and burns brightly as its plunge t
  
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• UPDATE: Bald Range wildfire now 9,500 hectares as Summerland evacuees flee to Penticton

  08-08-2026 17:03 via abbynews.com
  
  UPDATE (9:40 A.M.)
  The Bald Range wildfire has grown to 9,500 hectares in size.
  Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) crews assisted Saturday morning in evacuating the entire community of Summerland. Thousands in the Peachland area are also under an evacuation order.
  In total, more than 20,000 people have been ordered to leave their homes.
  Evacuee reception centres are open in Penticton and West Kelowna:
  •Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, 273 Power Street;
  • 550 Eckhardt Aven
  
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• District of Summerland evacuated, Hwy 97 closed due to raging Bald Range wildfire

  08-08-2026 17:03 via abbynews.com
  
  The entire District of Summerland remains under an evacuation order due to the Bald Range Wildfire.
  ​Several neighbourhoods in the District of Peachland are also under evacuation orders or alerts.
  ​The Central Okanagan Regional District is telling those in the area to leave immediately.
  “Failure to do so could result in injury and loss of life.”
  ​The Bald Range wildfire continues to burn out of control Saturday morning and is estimated at 5,000 hectares according to
  
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• Driving hazards in wildfire areas include smoke, debris

  08-08-2026 14:00 via abbynews.com
  
  Wildfires have closed numerous highways and roads throughout the Southern Interior, Cariboo, and Okanagan, and drivers are being warned that smoke, poor visibility, heat, and debris could make driving more dangerous on many roads.
  Avoiding unnecessary travel near wildfires is the safest bet, but if you have to drive, have a safety plan. That’s the advice from Road Safety at Work, with Program Director Trace Acres saying bluntly, “If you don’t need to drive through wildfire cond
  
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• COLUMN: What a Columbia Valley power outage taught me about preparedness

  08-08-2026 14:00 via abbynews.com
  
  Until last Sunday, Aug. 2, I’d never seriously considered packing spare food, cash, fuel or a satellite phone on road trips.
  That changed after I found myself among nearly 18,000 East Kootenay residents living between Golden and Canal Flats who had lost power due to wildfire-related damage to BC Hydro’s transmission systems.
  I set out the day before for Radium Hot Springs to explore Kootenay National Park. I’d never been south of Golden, making the experience full of excitement
  
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• UPDATE: Trout Creek added to Summerland evacuation orders for Bald Range wildfire

  08-08-2026 09:27 via abbynews.com
  
  2:20 a.m.
  Evacuation orders have extended south of Summerland and now include Trout Creek.The Bald Range wildfire is spreading rapidly and threatening human life and safety.Everyone in the area should leave immediately.Highway 97 remains closed in both directions from 500 metres north of Hardy Street in Peachland south to the Pyramid Picnic Area in Kickininee Provincial Park.Evacuees should leave the area by travelling south toward Penticton.Evacuation orders have extended south of Summerland an
  
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• UPDATE: Peachland properties on evacuation order, Highway 97 closure extended

  08-08-2026 09:27 via abbynews.com
  
  Update: 2:02 a.m.
  An evacuation order has been expanded to properties on Brenda Mine Road and in the Renfrew and Upper Princeton areas. Residents on evacuation order should leave their properties immediately to keep safe.
  DriveBC has also extended the Highway 97 closure. It now stretches from 500metres north of Hardy Street in Peachland to the Pyramid Picnic Area in Kickininee Provincial Park.
  The following addresses are covered in the order:
  Aikens Road (all properties)
  875 Brenda Mines Road
  Bl
  
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• UPDATE: Part of Peachland on evacuation alert as Bald Range wildfire pushes north

  08-08-2026 09:27 via abbynews.com
  
  3:45 a.m.
  A new evacuation alert has been issued for properties in Peachland for the Bald Range wildfire.The properties on alert are:4900 Brenda Mines Road
  5503 Glen Lake Forest Service Road
  6000 Sanderson Avenue
  Silver Lake Forest Service Road (All Properties)
  4421 – 4440 1st Street
  4402 – 4479 2nd Street
  4405 – 4478 3rd Street
  4416 – 4475 4th Street
  4411 – 4445 5th Street
  4445 – 4460 6th Street
  5810 – 5819 Arthur Street
  5803 – 5821 Atkinson Cresc
  
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• UPDATE: Highway 97 closed, Summerland evacuated from raging wildfire

  08-08-2026 09:27 via abbynews.com
  
  Update: 1:02 a.m.
  Highway 97 is closed in both directions through Summerland as the Bald Range wildfire continues to spread.The closure starts 500 metres north of Hardy Street in Peachland and extends south to Bentley Road in Summerland.Update: 12:57 a.m.
  The RCMP has closed the northbound lanes of Highway 97 coming into Summerland, according to reports.DriveBC has not provided an official update on the highways within the current wildfire impacted areas.
  Update: 12:24 a.m.
  All of Summerland in
  
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• UPDATE: Evacuation order issued for parts of Peachland due to Bald Range wildfire

  08-08-2026 09:27 via abbynews.com
  
  UPDATE: 5:28 a.m.
  An evacuation order has been issued for the Upper Princeton and Renfrew neighbourhoods in Peachland due to the Bald Range wildfire.Central Okanagan Emergency Management is telling the residents to leave the designated area immediately.
  Failure to do so could result in injury and loss of life.
  This alert will remain in effect until further notice.The following addresses are covered in the order:
  Aikens Road (all properties)
  875 Brenda Mines Road
  Blacksmith Place (all properties)
  
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• UPDATE: All of Summerland ordered to evacuate as wildfire approaches Highway 97

  08-08-2026 09:27 via abbynews.com
  
  Update: 12:24 a.m.
  All of Summerland in its entirety is under evacuation order due to the Bald Range wildfire.Everyone must leave the area immediately. Members of the RCMP, Search and Rescue and BC Wildfire will be expediting this action.
  Highway 97 still appears open from Penticton to West Kelowna including Drought Hill. Highway 97C has no reported closures. DriveBC has not provided an update on the highways within the current wildfire impacted areas.
  What you should do:
  • Follow the evacu
  
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• PHOTOS: Wildfire rapidly spreading, encroaching on Peachland, Summerland

  08-08-2026 06:02 via abbynews.com
  
  The Bald Range wildfire has grown to 5,000 hectares since being discovered a little before 5 p.m.The wildfire sparked along Princeton-Summerland Road northwest of Summerland in the late afternoon of Aug. 7.Evacuation order are in place Brent Road and Log Chute Road area south of Peachland, Faulder, from Darke Lake south to Bathville Road, including Garnet Valley and the Deer Ridge area, west of Cartwright on Prairie Valley Road and the Princeton-Summerland Highway to kilometre 15.People in these
  
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• UPDATE: Some Westside residents can return home as OKIB rescinds evacuation order

  08-08-2026 03:09 via abbynews.com
  
  Update: 6:09 p.m.Some residents on Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) land on the Westside can return home as the band has rescinded an evacuation order early Friday evening.The following areas are no longer under an evacuation order as of 5 p.m. Aug. 7: All of Desert Cove, 32, 34 and 41 Antoine Rd. to Gottfriedson Road, all residents of Spotted Eagle Drive., Hawhola Road, Smitken Road, and Wilfred Road.The OKIB notes that properties on independent water systems are permitted to return to the area iden
  
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• Canada’s biggest taxonomy lab to call Esquimalt home

  08-08-2026 02:30 via abbynews.com
  
  Canada’s biggest taxonomy lab, rooted in Victoria, supporting environmental monitoring programs across the country for decades, is moving to Esquimalt.
  Biologica Environmental Services Ltd., established in 1994 as a specialized aquatic environmental laboratory, currently houses 34 scientists, technicians, taxonomists, and support staff in 488F Bay Street.
  Speaking to Victoria News, president Tara Macdonald said that they chose to move to Esquimalt because they think it is an operational fi
  
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• RCMP investigating three more fires following string of suspcious blazes in Shuswap

  08-08-2026 01:37 via abbynews.com
  
  North Shuswap firefighters responded to more fires along Squilax Anglemont Road on Friday – two days after tending to a string of suspicious blazes now being investigated by the RCMP.The Scotch Creek/Lee Creek, Celista and Anglemont fire departments were back in action Friday afternoon, Aug. 7, after three spot-sized grass fires were discovered in the Scotch Creek area near Copper Cove Road.
  “Thanks to the quick actions of residents and people passing by, as well as the fire departme
  
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• Overnight closures planned for Highway 99 in Delta Aug. 10, 11

  08-08-2026 01:35 via abbynews.com
  
  There will be overnight delays on Highway 99 in Delta on Monday, Aug. 10 and Tuesday, Aug. 11 as crews install new bridge girders for the 78th Street overpass.
  The closures will be in effect between the Highway 91 and Highway 17 interchanges so that work can be completed safely.
  Closures will start each evening with single lanes in each direction before progressing to full highway closures one hour later.
  Southbound lane closures will start at 7 p.m., followed by a full southbound closure at 8
  
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• ‘I’ve lost about 8 people to suicide,’ youth delegate tells Inuit council in Nunavut

  08-08-2026 01:28 via abbynews.com
  
  The severe state of mental health issues among youth in the North isn’t a shock to anyone anymore, says 22-year-old Gwen Natsiq.Representing Canada as a youth delegate at the Inuit Circumpolar Council’s general assembly in Iqaluit, Natsiq spoke about how she’s been personally affected by Nunavut’s high rate of suicide.
  “In the past five years alone, I have lost around eight people to suicide,” she said.There are generally 25 to 37 suicides in Nunavut each year
  
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• UPDATE: Evacuation alert rescinded for Inonoaklin Creek wildfire east of Vernon

  08-08-2026 01:15 via abbynews.com
  
  An evacuation alert in place for a single property near a wildfire off Highway 6 has been rescinded.
  The Regional District of Central Kootenay pulled back the notice Friday, Aug. 6 for the Inonoaklin Creek blaze.
  Meanwhile hot, smoky and dry conditions continue to challenge crews fighting wildfires throughout the province.
  The situation is much the same at the 1,223-hectare Inonoaklin Creek blaze near Needles, east of Vernon.
  “Local smoke concentrations have increased,” the BC Wildfi
  
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• ATVBC recommends members postpone riding due to fire risk

  08-08-2026 01:15 via abbynews.com
  
  One B.C. organization that advocates on behalf of off-road riders is recommending that its members postpone riding until conditions improve, while another says that it respects whatever decision its members make.
  On Aug. 5, both the Quad Riders ATV Association of British Columbia (ATVBC) and the Four Wheel Drive Association of BC (4WDABC) issued statements about the current situation in the province’s backcountry.
  ATVBC has recommended that its members postpone any riding they have planned
  
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• Auditor general of Canada reviewing Nunavut drinking water management

  08-08-2026 00:58 via abbynews.com
  
  Nunavut’s drinking water management is coming under scrutiny from the highest oversight office in the country.The Auditor General of Canada will conduct a performance audit of the territory’s drinking water management.The audit results are expected to be released in 2027.“As this audit is still in the planning phase, its scope, methodology, and timelines are still being determined,” the Office of the Auditor General of Canada stated.The auditor general independent scrutin
  
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• Terrace pilot killed in helicopter crash while fighting wildfire in Greece

  08-08-2026 00:29 via abbynews.com
  
  A Danish pilot living in Terrace has been killed in a helicopter crash while fighting a wildfire west of Athens, Greece on Aug. 2, 2026.
  Two helicopters, one piloted by Rune Kyndal, 46, came into contact with each other in midair, European news agencies report.
  Kyndal and a Greek firefighting coordinator were killed when their helicopter crashed. The British pilot of the second helicopter made an emergency landing and he and a Greek coordinator are now in hospital.
  Kyndal had worked as a heli-sk
  
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• Vancouver Bandits advance to western finals

  08-08-2026 00:00 via abbynews.com
  
  At this stage of the season, style points don’t matter.
  “Just win the day. I said after the game, it wasn’t pretty, but this time of year, it’s survive and advance,” said Vancouver Bandits general manager Kyle Julius, who returned to coaching duties on Thursday night.
  Julius had stepped away from coaching duties earlier in the season after accepting a coaching position in China, but retained his role as the Bandits’ general manager.
  With Vancouver entering the
  
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