Nanaimo news

• $75K fine upheld against Tolko almost a decade after landslide into Shuswap lake

  29-07-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A Vernon forestry company’s bid to reduce a $75,000 fine, incurred after it caused a landslide in the Shuswap, has been denied.Tolko will have to pay the full amount after the Forest Appeals Commission found the fine was reasonable, nearly a decade after a logging road Tolko built caused an estimated 11,500 cubic metres of debris to slide into Rosemond Lake, just south of Mara Lake, in 2017, according to a decision published by the Commission July 15.The road had been constructed in 2011 t
  
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• Big Bar complex fires near Clinton still out of control

  24-08-2026 00:07 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Bonaparte First Nation (BFN) has downgraded an evacuation order for two of its reserves to an evacuation alert as of 3 p.m. on Sunday (Aug. 23).
  IR 1 and IR 2, on Highway 99 near Hat Creek Road, were placed on evacuation order on Aug. 11 in response to the Pear Lake wildfire, burning out of control near Clinton. The order has now been downgraded to an evacuation alert, meaning that the fire is still considered a potential risk. Residents should stay prepared in case conditions change, and monito
  
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• Cutting edge smoke -detection cameras installed at top of Mount Benson

  23-08-2026 23:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Cutting edge modern technology has stepped in to catch any wildfires spotted in the Nanaimo area before they can grow out of control.
  The forest company Mosaic Forest Management has installed new smoke-detection cameras on top of Mount Benson with 360-degree coverage and up to 50 kilometres of range to continuously scan the landscape, automatically zooming in when a potential smoke plume is detected.
  The cameras are the first of their kind on Vancouver Island, and will help identify the start of
  
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• THORPE REPORT: Records broken at elementary track meet

  23-08-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Back on track this week, continuing our review of this year’s Nanaimo District Elementary Track and Field Championships with a look at top three results from boys’ competition in the three main age groupings.
  We’ll start with the tyke (born 2017-18) division, where Everett Small from Randerson Ridge was a double winner. Small raced to first place in both the 100m and 200m finals. Runner-up in both races was Jake Parks from North Oyster. Third in 100m was Heson Vuorela of &Eacut
  
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• Vancouver Island couple’s backyard railway tracks decades of history

  23-08-2026 17:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  While it has been 15 years since the last Vancouver Island train rolled along the E&N corridor, in a small pocket of Langford, the rail network is thriving.
  In the backyard of Lanny and Dianna Seaton’s Glen Lake home, a miniature train meanders through decades of West Shore and Sooke history, passing landmarks such as Langford City Hall, Goldstream Provincial Park and Goodridge Sawmill – a nod to the area’s logging past and Lanny’s father George, who worked as a logge
  
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• Little library turns Island street into a creative community exchange

  23-08-2026 16:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A little library on the 400 block of Nelson Street in Esquimalt is inviting the community to become more creative.
  The community-led art and zine library was created by Sonya Gracey one year ago and has since then acted as a creative hub for art lovers.Gracey was a registered nurse for 23 years, a two-term Victoria city councillor, and a current art therapist and registered clinical counsellor.
  Speaking to Victoria News, Gracey said the idea to create the art and zine library stemmed from her li
  
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• Business Notes: Gina’s Mexican Cafe has a new menu

  23-08-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Gina’s Mexican Cafe, which has been in operation in downtown Nanaimo for 40 years, has a new menu and logo.
  Owners Claudia and Gustavo are from Mexico City, and they want to introduce Nanaimo to some traditional Mexican dishes and margaritas from their homeland.
  They ensured their long-time customers that the restaurant, which is known as the iconic pink house on the hill at 47 Skinner Street, is still offering Gina’s long-time staples, like fajitas, burritos, tacos, chimichangas, an
  
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• Wildfire sparks in Kelowna’s Black Mountain

  23-08-2026 04:39 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE 7:45 p.m.
  A wildfire the sparked in Kelowna’s Black Mountain area is now being held.The blaze is estimated at under one hectare in size and is not expected to grow.A lightening strike caused the wildfire.ORIGINAL
  A wildfire has started in the Black Mountain neighbourhood, on the east side of Kelowna, just south of Tower Ranch Drive.The fire started from a lightening strike and is estimated at less than one hectare in size.BC Wildfire Service reports the blaze to be rank one, meaning
  
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• BREAKING: Wildfire sparks in Kelowna’s Black Mountain

  23-08-2026 04:39 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A wildfire has started in the Black Mountain neighbourhood, on the east side of Kelowna, just south of Tower Ranch Drive.The fire started from a lightening strike and is estimated at less than one hectare in size.BC Wildfire Service reports the blaze to be rank one, meaning it is a smouldering ground fire and spreading slowly.Firefighters are actioning the blaze.
  
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• Fire on Beaufort Range near Port Alberni now being held by B.C. Wildfire crews

  23-08-2026 04:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Update: The McLean Main fire is now being held and is not expected to spread.
  In an update at 6 p.m. B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) officials said the wildfire is burning nine kilometres north of Port Alberni and is considered Rank 1 (smouldering ground fire) with some Rank 2 behaviour (low vigour surface fire).
  “Currently, this fire is burning in steep, inaccessible terrain,” a BCWS spokesperson noted.
  Ground crews are establishing control lines and aviation resources are providing su
  
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• Multiple small wildfires spark between Tulameen and Coquihalla

  23-08-2026 03:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A series of small wildfires have sparked east of the Coquihalla Highway and west of the community of Tulameen on Aug. 22.According to the BC Wildfire Service, four of the fires are only an estimated 0.3 hectares at the moment, with the one closest to Tulameen currently listed as 10 hectares in size.The causes of the fires are currently listed as under investigation, with one listed as being caused by lightning.Lightning also sparked a wildfire near Kamloops the same day, which has since grown to
  
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• Abbotsford-Mission MLA to step down, making way for new Conservative leader to seek seat

  23-08-2026 02:37 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Reann Gasper will step down as Abbotsford-Mission MLA, making way for Conservative Party leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay to run for the seat in a byelection.
  The Conservative Party announced Gasper’s resignation and Findlay’s intention to run for the seat in a news release on Saturday (Aug. 22)
  Gasper, who has also been serving as the party’s deputy whip since October 2025, said the decision came after careful consideration.
  “I believe it is the right decision for me, for our
  
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• Nanaimo food bank to open free food market at Vancouver Island University

  23-08-2026 00:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Students and community members battling food insecurity will have access to a market at Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus beginning next week.
  In a press release, Loaves and Fishes Community Food Bank, a non-profit servicing communities across the Island, said it will open its 12th free food market at VIU’s trades centre building (Building 108) off Wakesiah Avenue in Nanaimo, on Monday, Aug. 24. It will then be open every Monday from 5-7 p.m.
  Unlike the standard food bank
  
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• ‘Indefensible’: B.C. Premier Eby responds to collapsed Canada-U.S. trade talks

  22-08-2026 21:16 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. Premier David Eby worked to reassure British Columbians that Canada will stand strong against U.S. tariffs after a potential trade deal collapsed.
  Eby held a press conference Saturday (Aug. 22) in Vancouver to address the collapsed Canada-U.S. trade talks. He called the incoming U.S. tariffs “inexplicable and indefensible.”
  He said many British Columbians woke up to the news Saturday of the latest in the Canada-U.S. trade war. The premier said he hesitated to call the talks a ne
  
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• One person’s trash is another’s treasure at City of Nanaimo Car Trunk Sale

  22-08-2026 21:14 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Garage sale enthusiasts and those looking for bargains can find treasures at Vancouver Island University’s Nanaimo campus.
  City of Nanaimo is holding its Car Trunk Sale at VIU’s lower lot, off Wakesiah Avenue and Fifth Street, until 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 and according to a press release, 200 vendors are on site, selling used items from their vehicle trunks.
  It is part of the city’s Reduce and Reuse community events.
  “The Nanaimo Recycles Car Trunk Sales are a fun and p
  
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• UPDATE: Crews expect ‘erratic, gusty winds,’ as Summerland wildfire continues to grow

  22-08-2026 21:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE (12 P.M.)
  The Bald Range wildfire continues to grow, with the out-of-control blaze now 24,820 hectares in size.
  BC Wildfire Service says the growth comes as it expects “erratic, gusty winds” on Saturday.
  “Our crews, aviation and heavy equipment resources have been bolstering containment in preparation for today’s unpredictable winds,” it added.
  It hasn’t rained in the area for 49 days, the provincial service noted.
  Close to 40 structure protection perso
  
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• UPDATE: Bald Range wildfire continues to grow west of Summerland

  22-08-2026 21:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE (12 P.M.)
  The Bald Range wildfire continues to grow, with the out-of-control blaze now 24,820 hectares in size.
  BC Wildfire Service says the growth comes as it expects “erratic, gusty winds” on Saturday.
  “Our crews, aviation and heavy equipment resources have been bolstering containment in preparation for today’s unpredictable winds,” it added.
  It’s also been 49 days since there’s been rain in the area, the provincial service noted.
  Close to 40 st
  
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• Victoria police chief recognized nationally for leadership

  22-08-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  After one year of her historic appointment as Victoria’s first female police chief, Fiona Wilson has received a national award recognizing her leadership and contributions to policing across Canada.
  Wilson received the 2026 CACP Recognition Award at the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Summit in Edmonton, presented by CACP President Commissioner Thomas Carrique.
  Wilson was one of the two police leaders selected to receive the national recognition of exceptional involvement,
  
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• LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Cyclists have the same responsibilities as drivers

  22-08-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  To the editor,
  I would like to remind drivers that under the B.C. Motor Vehicle Act cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles.
  I state this as a cyclist who is frequently heckled from passing vehicles for riding on the road even though there is an adjacent bike path.
  I do not ride on elevated paths because they dip to accommodate driveways and intersections. They are often twinned with a sidewalk, only delineated by a line of paint. I frequently exceed 30km/h and it&rs
  
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• More evacuation orders, alerts issued in response to Pear Lake fire near Clinton

  22-08-2026 18:56 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) have both issued new evacuation orders and alerts in the area of Highway 99/Pavilion Lake west of Cache Creek in response to the Pear Lake wildfire.
  The orders and alerts were issued as of 8 a.m. on Saturday (Aug. 22).
  Highway 99 remains open, but drivers are not allowed to stop along the highway. However, the threat of wildfire means that the highway could close suddenly, with little or no notice. Driver
  
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• UPDATE: French Bar Creek wildfire grows to almost 60K hectares as evacuation orders expand

  22-08-2026 18:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE: (6:30 p.m.)
  The BC Wildfire Service has increased the estimated size of the French Bar Creek wildfire west of Clinton by over over 4,600 hectares.The latest update for the fire did not contain any other new information beyond the new size estimate of 59,507.6 hectares.
  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.ORIGINAL STORY:The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has expanded an evacuation order in response to the French Bar Creek wildfire, burning out of control west of Cl
  
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• Evacuation order expanded for French Bar Creek fire west of Clinton

  22-08-2026 18:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has expanded an evacuation order in response to the French Bar Creek wildfire, burning out of control west of Clinton.
  The expanded evacuation order was issued on Saturday morning (Aug. 22). It covers two properties, at 7633 and 7780 Watson Bar Road, bringing to 12 the total number of properties on evacuation order.The French Bar Creek fire was estimated at 54,892 hectares as of Saturday morning.
  The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says that convective act
  
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• Bald Range wildfire sits at 24,622 hectares west of Summerland

  22-08-2026 17:14 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Bald Range wildfire west of Summerland continues to burn out of control more than two weeks after its discovery.
  ​According to the latest update from the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the blaze has grown to 24,622 hectares, with 13 evacuation alerts and eight evacuation orders still in place.
  ​Despite the large number of evacuation orders, many residents have been able to return home, with just 32 properties still under evacuation.
  ​BCWS says its priorities are to maintain th
  
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• ONC joins the hunt for cosmic particles in the ocean

  22-08-2026 15:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) is part of a major project that will give scientists a glimpse into the universe from under the sea.In this multi-partner Pacific Ocean Neutrino Experiment (P-ONE), ONC is co-engineering key infrastructure to create a deep-sea neutrino telescope that will transform vast stretches of the deep Pacific Ocean into a massive neutrino detector.
  Research has shown that the pitch-black depths of the deep ocean are an ideal environment for studyi
  
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• COLUMN: I wish I had said hello toTerry Fox

  22-08-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  It’s hard to believe that the 46th annual Terry Fox Run will take place next month.
  Up to four million people across Canada and the world participate in the run each year, and they have raised more than $1 billion over the decades for cancer research.
  I was actually there on that cold and wet April morning in 1980 in St. John’s, Newfoundland, when it all began.
  I was just a youngster at the time walking with some friends in the city’s downtown when we came across a small group
  
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• UPDATE: Bald Range wildfire grows to 24,536 hectares, as Summerland residents continue to return home

  22-08-2026 04:31 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE (7:25 P.M.)
  The Bald Range wildfire continues to grow in size, according to the latest report from BCWS.
  The provincial agency said in an update at 7:04 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, that the fire is currently 24,536 hectares in size and continues to be classified as out of control.
  Earlier this Friday, BCWS reported that both fire behaviour and activity have been dampened over the last several days as smoke from the Bald Range wildfire and fires to the west and south have been impacting the r
  
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• Small wildfire spotted in Beaufort Range near Port Alberni

  22-08-2026 03:52 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A small wildfire is burning out of control in the Beaufort Range northwest of Port Alberni. The B.C. Wildfire Service is calling the area Hal Creek.
  The fire, listed as 0.2 hectares, was spotted during the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 21 shortly after a brief thunder and lightning event. The B.C. Wildfire service is calling the fire “under investigation” while they respond.
  Firefighting ground personnel have been deployed to the scene, and at least two helicopters have been spotted by p
  
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• Nanaimo preparing guide to help seniors during community emergencies

  22-08-2026 03:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  City of Nanaimo is working to help seniors prepare for community-wide emergencies.
  The municipality is inviting seniors, caregivers, family members and organizations that support older adults to participate in a survey that will help shape a new Seniors Emergency Preparedness Information Guide.
  The guide is being developed to help older adults prepare for emergencies and disasters, such as extreme heat, power outages, wildfire smoke, earthquakes and severe weather.
  Community feedback will help e
  
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• Montréal minor arrested, allegedly used AI to plan school attack

  22-08-2026 02:35 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A Montréal youth was arrested Friday (Aug. 21) on terrorism allegations.
  RCMP’s Federal Policing Eastern Region arrested the “young man” from Montréal as part of an investigation by the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team. Police did not specify the suspect’s age, but also referred to him as a minor.Police say the investigators had “reasonable grounds” to fear he might commit crimes related to violent extremism.The investigation began a
  
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• Less than half expected sockeye returning to B.C.’s Fraser River this year

  22-08-2026 01:58 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Pacific Salmon Commission has slashed estimates for this year’s Fraser River Sockeye run by more than 50 per cent.
  The initial prediction of 7,743,390 sockeye salmon returning to the Fraser River has now been downgraded to 3,496,000 fish.Experts warn this appears to be part of a 16-year downward spiral for the Fraser River’s dominant sockeye salmon run.
  “The trend for this four-year cycle in the Fraser is very concerning,” said Jason Hwang, vice-president of the Pacif
  
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