Nanaimo news

• Air support, multiple fire crews work the Quilpituk Creek blaze overnight

  05-08-2026 07:23 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE: 10:19 p.m.
  The Quilpituk Creek wildfire remains at 742 hectares, with three evacuation orders and one evacuation alert in place.
  This blaze continues to move up slope and to the northwest, away from community areas, stated BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
  On Tuesday, crews assessed the danger trees along the east flank of the fire, establishing a 10-foot edge on the perimeter of the blaze. Along the north flank, crews and heavy equipment moved west, extending hose lines to suppress the fire&r
  
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• Penticton Peach Festival pivots, schedules fire relief concert

  09-08-2026 00:23 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Penticton Peach Festival is holding a concert Saturday night, Aug. 8, to raise funds for those impacted by the Bald Range wildfire.
  After cancelling all activities on Saturday at the festival, organizers are inviting people to the Penticton Lakeside Resort for Peach Fest Fire Relief, featuring Canadian pop artist Virginia to Vegas.
  Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 8 p.m. inside the venue’s east ballroom.
  Admission is by donation, with a minimum contribution of $10. A 50/
  
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• New 63-unit housing complex proposed for Nanaimo’s north end

  08-08-2026 23:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A 63-unit housing complex is being proposed for a 1.03-hectare site located at 6060 Nelson Road, which is situated south of Hammond Bay Road between Turner and Rutherford roads.
  City of Nanaimo’s design advisory panel had no objections to the proposal at its meeting on July 23, but made 19 recommendations for improvements to the project.
  The property is currently forested, and a single-residential dwelling has recently been demolished.
  The surrounding neighbourhood is a mix of residential,
  
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• B.C. declares provincial state of emergency 1 day after wildfire evacuates Summerland

  08-08-2026 22:37 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. has declared a province-wide state of emergency in response to wildfires plaguing the province.
  Premier David Eby announced the declaration at a press conference at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, following Friday night’s explosive wildfire event that forced an entire Okanagan community to flee for safety.
  The Bald Range wildfire is burning out of control, estimated at 9,500 hectares in size as of 1 p.m. Aug. 8. In a matter of hours, the wildfire rapidly encroached on Summerland and forced
  
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• New evacuation orders issued for Ainslie Creek wildfire near Merritt

  08-08-2026 22:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  More evacuation orders and alerts have been issued in response to the Ainslie Creek wildfire southwest of Merritt, which as of Saturday (Aug. 8) was estimated at 48,537 hectares.
  On Saturday, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) issued an evacuation order for approximately 61 addressed properties on the fire’s northeastern flank in Electoral Area “N.” The order includes all addressed properties west of Spius Creek, including Petit Creek Road and Prospect Creek FSR.
  On F
  
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• LETTER TO THE EDITOR: One-stop shopping

  08-08-2026 22:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Re: Cannabis shop application receives few comments at public hearing, July 22
  To the editor,
  I was laid back in Powell River last week.While there, my friend took us to a private liquor store. I was smiling at the fact this little plaza had three stores in its block. The liquor store (with beer and wine) at one end, and a cannabis store at the other.
  No big controversy, just designed for convenience and a one-stop shopping experience. No driving all over town if you want both products.
  Neil Sau
  
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• ‘Rush of 10,000 people’ come into Penticton, flee fast-moving Bald Range wildfire

  08-08-2026 21:27 via nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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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• Late-game heroics see Nanaimo NightOwls take Game 1 of WCL North semifinal

  08-08-2026 19:40 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Nanaimo NightOwls delighted the home crowd with some tight playoff baseball, winning 3-2 and drawing first blood in their playoff series against the defending champion Bellingham Bells.
  The ‘Owls played their first-ever West Coast League playoff game at Serauxmen Stadium Friday, Aug. 7, hosting the Bells. Thanks to a hit from outfielder Nathan Widelski, in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs, Jackson Rankin scored from third base to clinch Game 1 of the best-of-three North Div
  
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• UPDATE: Bald Range wildfire now 9,500 hectares as Summerland evacuees flee to Penticton

  08-08-2026 17:03 via nanaimobulletin.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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• UPDATE: ‘Aggressive’ wildfire grows to 10,340 hectares in Summerland

  08-08-2026 17:03 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE (3 P.M.)
  The Bald Range wildfire has grown to 10,340 hectares in size, BC Wildfire Service said.
  Additional firefighters, aircraft, and heavy equipment have been deployed to the fast-moving Bald Range wildfire, with Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee urging people to avoid all travel to the South Okanagan.
  “This fire continues to pose a significant risk,” Boultbee said. “Please follow the direction of Emergency Management BC — if you are told to evacuate, do
  
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• District of Summerland evacuated, Hwy 97 closed due to raging Bald Range wildfire

  08-08-2026 17:03 via nanaimobulletin.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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• COLUMN: Opioid crisis seems unending

  08-08-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  It seems that the Nanaimo Fire Rescue scanner in the newsroom is constantly reporting overdoses around the city that emergency personnel have to respond to.
  The vast majority of the calls for service on the scanner each day involve overdoses, eclipsing calls regarding fires, vehicle accidents and other emergencies Nanaimo Fire Rescue has to deal with on a regular basis, and they are sometimes just minutes apart.
  More than 18,000 people have died in British Columbia from toxic drugs since the pub
  
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• Driving hazards in wildfire areas include smoke, debris

  08-08-2026 14:00 via nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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 nanaimobulletin.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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• ‘I’ve lost about 8 people to suicide,’ youth delegate tells Inuit council in Nunavut

  08-08-2026 01:28 via nanaimobulletin.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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• Vancouver Island public urged to be vigilant of invasive species

  08-08-2026 01:22 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Vancouver Island residents are advised to keep an eye out for one of the region’s most unwanted visitors, the invasive European Green Crab.
  The warning comes after a monitoring program led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) found the species in Esquimalt Lagoon.
  The volunteers of Esquimalt Lagoon Stewardship Initiative, coordinated by the Capital Regional District, one of the many groups involved with trapping European Green Crabs across the region, told Victoria News that the public mus
  
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• UPDATE: Evacuation alert rescinded for Inonoaklin Creek wildfire east of Vernon

  08-08-2026 01:15 via nanaimobulletin.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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