Nanaimo news

• Where the rules don’t apply: Fortis and the Christina Lake data centre controversy

  07-07-2026 02:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Faced with mounting public concern about power- and water-hungry data centres, the B.C. government has taken action to limit the amount of electricity BC Hydro is willing to supply, forcing companies to bid for the right to connect.
  But the province doesn’t just have one electrical utility: Southeastern British Columbia is served by FortisBC.
  In this area that spans the Kootenays and Southern Interior, these new rules won’t apply, and the province has far less sway over which project
  
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• Wildfire burning on Mount Prevost in North Cowichan

  07-07-2026 01:32 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A wildfire has broken out on Mount Prevost near Duncan.
  The fire was discovered on Monday, July 6, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
  The fire is listed as out of control, meaning it is spreading or expected to spread beyond the current perimeter or control line and it is currently about 1 hectare in size.
  It is suspected to be human-caused.
  As of 4:30 p.m. on Monday there were no alerts or evacuations listed due to the fire.
  
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• B.C.’s estimate for Massey Tunnel replacement more than doubles to $8.5B

  07-07-2026 01:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C.’s transportation minister says the George Massey Tunnel replacement will now cost about $8.5 billion — nearly twice the 2021 estimate of $4.15 billion for a new eight-lane submersed-tube tunnel beneath the Fraser River.
  But the federal government has also promised to kick in $3 billion as part of a memorandum of understanding recently signed with the province.
  “This updated budget reflects today’s market conditions, inflation, project scope, and the realities of deli
  
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• Application for Nanaimo cannabis shop going to public hearing

  07-07-2026 01:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A proposal for a new cannabis-retail store in the Brooks Landing area will go to a public hearing.
  Nanaimo city council gave the first two readings to the proposal for the store, which would be located at 2180 Highland Boulevard, at its meeting on June 22.
  The B.C. Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch is ultimately responsible for deciding who receives licenses to operate retail-cannabis operations in the province, but the branch will not proceed with a licensing application unless the local go
  
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• UPDATE: Wildfire east of Kamloops being held

  07-07-2026 00:52 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Update, 6:20 p.m.
  The wildfire east of Kamloops is now being held.
  The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) updated the public at 6:03 p.m. saying the wildfire discovered earlier on Monday near Harper Ranch Road is being held.
  The fire was first reported as four hectares but was sized at 20 hectares in the wildfire service’s last update at 5:09 p.m.
  The City of Kamloops posted to their Facebook page at 5:50 p.m. about the fire.
  “Crews have made great progress on the fire securing the perimeter
  
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• Out-of-control wildfire east of Kamloops grows to 20 hectares

  07-07-2026 00:52 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Update, 5:51 p.m.
  The wildfire east of Kamloops has grown to 20 hectares.
  The latest update came in at 5:09 p.m. from the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
  The fire near Shuswap Road north of the South Thompson River is suspected to be human caused.
  Original story
  A wildfire has been discovered east of Kamloops.
  The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the fire is four hectares and out of control.
  The wildfire service says it is located near Harper Ranch Road. According to the wildfire map, it is north of
  
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• 4-hectare wildfire discovered east of Kamloops out of control

  07-07-2026 00:52 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A wildfire has been discovered east of Kamloops.
  The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the fire is four hectares and out of control.
  The wildfire service says it is located near Harper Ranch Road. According to the wildfire map, it is north of the South Thompson River near Shuswap Road.
  Kamloops Fire Centre is assisting Kamloops and Tk’emlups Fire Rescue in responding to the wildfire.
  BCWS says there are firefighting crews and aviation resources assigned to the incident.
  Humans are the suspec
  
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• Woman missing, presumed drowned following incident at Stamp Falls

  07-07-2026 00:22 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A Port Alberni family is sending a warning to other nature lovers after witnessing a young woman get swept over the falls along the Stamp River on July 5.
  ”There’s nothing more horrible than what happened yesterday,” says James Elfstrom, who, along with his wife and son were getting ready to leave the potholes around 5:30 p.m. when a group of three women and a man, all in their early 20s, set-up just below them at an area about 30 metres (100) feet above the falls.
  The Elfstrom
  
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