• Update: Multiple vehicle incident closes eastbound Okanagan Connector

    Highway 97C is closed to eastbound traffic near Pennask Summit following an incident Sunday afternonThe post Update: Multiple vehicle incident closes eastbound Okanagan Connector appeared first on Abbotsford News.
  • Twin Lakes wildfire under control

    Twin Lakes wildfire under control
    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
  • 18-year-old ticketed for excessive speeding on Hwy. 1 in Abbotsford

    18-year-old ticketed for excessive speeding on Hwy. 1 in Abbotsford
    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.
  • No injuries reported after shooting in Abbotsford

    No injuries reported after shooting in Abbotsford
    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

    North end of Westside Road reopens amid Vernon’s Bradley Creek wildfire
    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
  • Around 500 personnel continues to battle Bald Range wildfire in Summerland

    Around 500 personnel continues to battle Bald Range wildfire in Summerland
    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
  • More evacuation orders downgraded to alerts for Bradley Creek wildfire

    More evacuation orders downgraded to alerts for Bradley Creek wildfire
    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
  • Bald Range fire: Orders downgraded for some, alerts issued for others, Highway 97 reopened for all

    Bald Range fire: Orders downgraded for some, alerts issued for others, Highway 97 reopened for all
    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

    VIDEO: Song about Summerland fire debuts at charity event
    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
  • Ainslie Creek wildfire burns to Alexandra Tunnel in Fraser Canyon

    Ainslie Creek wildfire burns to Alexandra Tunnel in Fraser Canyon
    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.
  • Multiple planned ignitions scheduled for Pear Lake fire near Clinton

    Multiple planned ignitions scheduled for Pear Lake fire near Clinton
    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
  • Visitor survey looks at economic, environmental value of protecting Cultus Lake

    Visitor survey looks at economic, environmental value of protecting Cultus Lake
    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
  • City of Revelstoke issues wildfire evacuation order for 5 rural properties near Beaton

    City of Revelstoke issues wildfire evacuation order for 5 rural properties near Beaton
    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
  • UPDATE: Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton grows to nearly 160,000 hectares

    UPDATE: Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton grows to nearly 160,000 hectares
    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
  • PHOTOS: Chilliwack Mural Festival turns downtown into outdoor art gallery

    PHOTOS: Chilliwack Mural Festival turns downtown into outdoor art gallery
    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
  • City of Revelstoke issues evacuation order for Fish River Road area due to wildfire

    City of Revelstoke issues evacuation order for Fish River Road area due to wildfire
    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
  • Okanagan protesters spread awareness of campaign to recall MLA Tara Armstrong

    Okanagan protesters spread awareness of campaign to recall MLA Tara Armstrong
    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
  • Ainslie Creek wildfire showing growth on southwest flank in Fraser Canyon

    Ainslie Creek wildfire showing growth on southwest flank in Fraser Canyon
    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
  • UPDATE: More Summerland wildfire evacuees could return home Sunday, CAO says

    UPDATE: More Summerland wildfire evacuees could return home Sunday, CAO says
    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
  • Man fatally struck by train in Chilliwack

    Man fatally struck by train in Chilliwack
    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
  • UPDATE: Summerland wildfire surpasses 20,000 hectares, around the clock firefight continues

    UPDATE: Summerland wildfire surpasses 20,000 hectares, around the clock firefight continues
    UPDATE: 12:35 p.m.The Bald Range Wildfire near Summerland has surpassed 20,000 hectares in size.In the latest update from BCWS at 12:20 p.m., the blaze is marked at 20,553 hectares and is burning out of control.The wildfire of note has forced nine evacuation orders and 12 evacuation alerts since its discovery on Aug. 7.Saturday’s response to the fire includes an incident management team, 24-hour coverage from 376 firefighting personnel split between day and night shifts, as well as 16 heli
  • Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton estimated at 157,448 hectares

    Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton estimated at 157,448 hectares
    As of Saturday morning (Aug. 15), the Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton was estimated at 157,448 hectares and is still listed as Out of Control.
    The nearby Rim Lake wildfire, between Loon Lake and Clinton, had previously been listed as Being Held. It has now been classed as part of the Pear Lake fire, which crossed the Bonaparte River and joined with the Rim Lake fire.
    As of 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, evacuation orders for the entirety of the Village of Clinton, and for some 373 properties in Tho
  • ‘We’ll be here for the foreseeable future’: Summerland wildfire grows to almost 20,000 hectares

    ‘We’ll be here for the foreseeable future’: Summerland wildfire grows to almost 20,000 hectares
    Around 300 firefighters and 15 helicopters are battling the Bald Range wildfire, one day after some evacuation orders related to the blaze were downgraded to alerts.
    Residents in the Trout Creek neighbourhood of Summerland, for properties east of Highway 97, were told they could go home early Friday afternoon. Evacuation orders for all properties in the Peachland and Electoral Area West areas were also downgraded to alerts.
    All other previously issued evacuation orders remain in effect, as of Sa
  • VIDEO: Late goal preserves Vancouver FC undefeated streak

    VIDEO: Late goal preserves Vancouver FC undefeated streak
    Vancouver FC extended their undefeated streak to six Friday in Langley, but it was a near thing, with a last-minute goal producing a 1-1 tie against Pacific.
    VFC’s Terran Campbell scored against his old club in the 87th minute to secure the 1-1 draw.Earlier in the game, Pacific’s Ronan Kratt managed to cut inside on his right foot and fire a low shot, one that curled into the bottom corner to put his team up 1-0 36 minutes in.
    After a frustrating start to the season, the Eagles are n
  • Highway 97 through Clinton reopen to all traffic at noon Saturday

    Highway 97 through Clinton reopen to all traffic at noon Saturday
    Highway 97 between Clinton and 70 Mile House will be reopening to all traffic in both directions as of noon on Saturday (Aug. 15), but non-local drivers are not allowed to stop at any time.
    The highway has been closed since July 24 due to the Pear Lake wildfire.
    On Friday, the Village of Clinton and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District announced that evacuation orders affecting the whole of the Village, as well as 373 properties in TNRD Area “E,” were being downgraded to evacuation
  • Residents, stakeholders across B.C. unite to stop deactivation of valued Interior forest road

    Residents, stakeholders across B.C. unite to stop deactivation of valued Interior forest road
    Citing public safety concerns, the B.C. government is starting to permanently close off a forest service road (FSR) near Trout Lake that accesses homes and runs up the Incomappleux River toward Glacier National Park.
    Property owners, backcountry users, industry and environmentalists have voiced outrage over the province’s plans, describing lack of meaningful consultation and a strong rationale for the road to remain accessible.
    This combination of advocates for keeping the Incomappleux FSR
  • ‘The environment has changed:’ residents returning to Clinton area told to be prepared for wildfire damage

    ‘The environment has changed:’ residents returning to Clinton area told to be prepared for wildfire damage
    Be prepared to be self-sufficient for several days, be alert for fire, and give yourself space to absorb the changes you’ll see to the landscape.
    That was the advice that more than 400 people heard during an online information session on Friday afternoon for residents of Clinton, the surrounding electoral area, and local First Nations who are preparing to return.
    The Village of Clinton and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) co-hosted the session, which began with the news that ma
  • BC Wildfire Service responding to blaze off Highway 5 near Clearwater

    BC Wildfire Service responding to blaze off Highway 5 near Clearwater
    BC Wildfire Service personnel were responding by land and air to a one-hectare blaze near Clearwater on Friday afternoon.The Noblequartz Creek fire was discovered later in the day on Aug. 14, burning southeast of Clearwater, near agricutural properties along the north side of Highway 5.As of 6 p.m. (Aug. 14), a crew of seven BCWS firefighters were responding along with two helicopters. BCWS said air tankers were also used on the fire and “had completed their objectives.”
  • BC Wildfire Service responding to blaze near off Highway 5 near Clearwater

    BC Wildfire Service responding to blaze near off Highway 5 near Clearwater
    BC Wildfire Service personnel were responding by land and air to a one-hectare blaze near Clearwater on Friday afternoon.The Noblequartz Creek fire was discovered later in the day on Aug. 14, burning southeast of Clearwater, near agricutural properties along the north side of Highway 5.As of 6 p.m. (Aug. 14), a crew of seven BCWS firefighters were responding along with two helicopters. BCWS said air tankers were also used on the fire and “had completed their objectives.”
  • UPDATE: Evacuation order partially rescinded for Bradley Creek wildfire near Vernon

    UPDATE: Evacuation order partially rescinded for Bradley Creek wildfire near Vernon
    Update: 5:55 p.m.
    An evacuation order for an area of the Bradley Creek wildfire zone west of Vernon area has been rescinded, according to the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB).Effective at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, the following addresses are no longer on an evacuation order and are instead on an evacuation alert:• 12400 Westside Road
    • 12398 Westside Road
    • 12401 Westside Road
    • 12392 Westside Road
    • 12354 Westside Road
    • 12324 Westside Road
    • 12354 Coyote Creek Ro

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