Nanaimo news

• Gerald Glen Franklin

  05-08-2026 17:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  March 7, 1963 – July 27, 2026It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Gerald Glen Franklin on July 27, 2026. Gerald was born March 7, 1963 in Prince Albert Sk.
  Gerald is predeceased by first wife Gidget, infant son Robin and parents Glen & Edna. Gerald is survived by his loving wife Sheri, sons Michael (Malarie), Matthew, Kyle (Kayla), stepchildren Lindsey (Jon) Charlton, Joe Delorme, Kaitie (Brennan) Hinchsliff, grandchildren Peyton & Benson Franklin, Logan, Ga
  
  Read more

• VIDEO: B.C. rider celebrates becoming Canadian citizen with double victory

  09-08-2026 21:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Growing up in the U.S., Langley rider Kyle King says he was often mistaken for a Canuck because he spoke with a Canadian accent, even though he is a native Californian.
  It was the product of frequent trips to spend summers north of the border, and the fact that his dad had two long-time girlfriends who were Canadian women, he has explained.
  Ten years ago, King married his Canadian-born wife Emily, and the couple would settle down in Langley, not far from the Thunderbird Show Park.
  But while he w
  
  Read more

• UPDATE: More evacuation orders issued due to Bald Range wildfire

  09-08-2026 21:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE: 12:00 p.m.
  An evacuation order has been issued by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen due to the Bald Range wildfire.The order applies to the area of Brent Lake, Single Creek Area, otherwise known as Electoral Area ‘F’ on this map.Evacuees can go to the Trade and Convention Centre at 273 Power St. in Penticton to register.EmergencyInfoBC has more information on evacuation alerts and orders related to the Bald Range fire, which is an estimated 13,618 hectares in size
  
  Read more

• Bradley Creek wildfire complex near Vernon still being held

  09-08-2026 20:53 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Bradley Creek wildfire complex is still expected to stay within its perimeters, according to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
  In an update on Sunday, Aug. 9, BCWS said that based on available fuel and predicted weather conditions, the Bradley Creek wildfire – still estimated at 2,634 hectares in size – is expected to remain within control lines.Temperatures are expected to rise slowly throughout the day, reaching 31°C at around 5 p.m., and east-southeasterly winds will shift t
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Wildfires near Clinton now over 213,000 hectares, remain out-of-control

  09-08-2026 20:50 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Wildfires in and around the Big Bar complex near Clinton are still out-of-control, with several evacuation orders and alerts in place.
  The entire complex covers more than 213,000 hectares as of Aug. 9.
  The Pear Lake wildfire saw growth and is now 142,900 hectares. French Bar Creek sits at 39,044 hectares, while the Rim Lake wildfire is estimated at 4,794 hectares.
  Bonanza Creek, which is not a part of the Big Bar complex but is nearby and to the west of the other fires, is at 26,822 hectares.
  Pe
  
  Read more

• Wildfires near Clinton now over 200,000 hectares, remain out-of-control

  09-08-2026 20:50 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Wildfires in and around the Big Bar complex near Clinton are still out-of-control with several evacuation orders and alerts in place.
  The entire complex covers more than 200,000 hectares as of Aug. 9.
  The Pear Lake wildfire saw growth and is now 142,900 hectares. French Bar Creek sits at 39,044 hectares. Rim Lake wildfire spans 4,794 hectares.
  Bonanza Creek, which is not a part of the Big Bar complex but nearby, is 26,822 hectares.
  Pear Lake Wildfire
  BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) posted a response
  
  Read more

• UPDATE: Bald Range wildfire west of Summerland grows, ‘challenging day’ ahead

  09-08-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE: 11:20 a.m.
  The Bald Range wildfire has grown to an estimated to 13,618 hectares in size, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
  BCWS said the blaze saw increased behaviour to the south last night on Aug. 8.“Last night, poor overnight recoveries were observed on the Bald Range Wildfire, with relative humidity around 33%. The south end of the fire, along with the Fish Lake Road and Garnet Valley Road areas, continued to experience increased fire behaviour overnight,” it said.Aug
  
  Read more

• Quilpituk Creek wildfire grows to 1,238 hectares

  09-08-2026 19:54 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Quilpituk Creek wildfire is still growing, and is now estimated to be around 100 hectares larger since it was last recorded, according to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).In an update on Sunday morning, Aug. 8, BCWS said the blaze is an estimated 1,238 hectares in size and remains out of control.
  Three sets of evacuation orders and one set of an evacuation alert related to the Quilpituk fire remain in place.BCWS have continued to commit over 120 firefighters, 11 helicopters, 40 pieces of heavy
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• NIWRA: Outdoor cats are cute and cuddly but also deadly predators

  09-08-2026 19:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  They may have lovely soft fur and be cute and cuddly when they feel like it, but cats have been largely responsible for the extinction of 33 bird species over many centuries. Scientists estimate free-roaming cats kill hundreds of millions of birds, small mammals, reptiles, and amphibians each year, including endangered species.
  Cats are particularly deadly for birds. Even well fed, pampered cats will hunt and kill. Every year, domestic and feral cats kill millions of birds in Canada, leading som
  
  Read more

• ‘Summerland hasn’t been destroyed’ due to Bald Range wildfire, CAO says

  09-08-2026 18:49 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Evacuation orders and alerts covering Bald Range, Summerland, Penticton and Peachland remain in place as of 9:10 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9 due to the Bald Range fire.The entire town of Summerland remains under an evacuation order along with areas under the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS), Regional District of the Central Okanagan, Penticton Indian Band as well as South Peachland. Evacuation alerts also remain in place in areas adjacent to the evacuation alerts in Penticton Indian B
  
  Read more

• Business Notes: Kirby’s Source For Sports moves to larger location

  09-08-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  After 13 years serving Nanaimo’s sporting community in the Bowen Centre, Kirby’s Source For Sports has moved to a much larger location nearby.
  The popular sports store, which sells sports equipment, athletic clothing, footwear and more, moved into the former Brechin Lanes bowling alley building, located at 1870 Wellington Rd. which is just two blocks from its former site, in June after months of renovations.
  Owner Zack Gilbey said the old location was 5,000 sq. ft., while the new sit
  
  Read more

• UPDATE: Bradley Creek wildfire near Vernon being held

  09-08-2026 05:50 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE (8:40 P.M.)
  The Bradley Creek Complex is now being held.
  BC Wildfire Service said the 2,634-hectare blaze, discovered on July 31, is expected to remain within its current perimeter.
  Earlier on Saturday, BCWS said forecasted winds from the night before did not materialize, “resulting in only a small increase in fire behaviour.”
  In its latest update, the provincial wildfire service said there were 12 helicopters and 138 firefighters assigned to the incident.
  UPDATE: 7:10 P.M.
  Th
  
  Read more

• Rourke’s return sparks B.C. Lions to 27-24 win over Hamilton Tiger-Cats

  09-08-2026 04:14 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Nathan Rourke’s return to the lineup was a winning one.
  The reigning CFL most outstanding player tossed for 370 yards and two touchdowns, leading the B.C. Lions to an exciting 27-24 win over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats Saturday at BC Place.
  Zander Horvath had two TDs for B.C. (3-5), with Justin McInnis also recording a major. Kicker Sean Whyte added two field goals and three extra points.
  For the Ticats (3-6), quarterback Harrison Frost, making his first appearance of year, three for
  
  Read more

• Rourke’s return sparks B.C Lions to 27-24 win over Hamilton Tiger-Cats

  09-08-2026 04:14 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Nathan Rourke’s return to the lineup was a winning one.
  The reigning CFL most outstanding player tossed for 370 yards and two touchdowns, leading the B.C. Lions to an exciting 27-24 win over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats Saturday at BC Place.
  Zander Horvath had two TDs for B.C. (3-5), with Justin McInnis also recording a major. Kicker Sean Whyte added two field goals and three extra points.
  For the Ticats (3-6), quarterback Harrison Frost, making his first appearance of year, three for
  
  Read more

• UPDATE: Power restored in parts of Summerland as crews continue to battle Bald Range wildfire

  09-08-2026 03:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE (8:26 P.M.)
  Power has been restored in parts of Summerland, RDOS communications manager Erick Thompson said.
  District of Summerland staff noted that this does not signal re-entry to the community, “as conditions are still being evaluated.”
  There are a combined 6,000 properties on evacuation order across Summerland, Penticton Indian Band and the regional district, Thompson said. Another 2,000 properties are on evacuation alert, including in the West Bench and Sage Mesa areas ne
  
  Read more

• Surrey’s ‘Ugly Potato Day’ breaks Guinness World Record

  09-08-2026 02:17 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Surrey’s Ugly Potato Day by Odd Bunch has broken the Guinness World Record for the largest donation of fruits and vegetables for 24 hours by giving away 246,528.61 kg (543,501 lbs).Tyler Heppell started the event in 2022 with 12 people coming out to his family’s South Surrey farm to pick up free “ugly” produce that would otherwise be thrown away.From there, it has grown to over 30,000 people attending this year’s world-record-setting event at Cloverdale’s Agri
  
  Read more

• RCMP working to confirm fatality from Summerland wildfire

  09-08-2026 01:29 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Police are working to confirm a possible fatality from the massive Bald Range wildfire that tore through the Central Okanagan and forced the evacuation of the Summerland community Friday night.“Evacuations of entire neighbourhoods and communities were largely successful but not without challenges to areas cut off by the wildfire,” the Southeast District RCMP said in a media release Saturday afternoon, Aug. 8.“Southeast District RCMP is aware of one impacted resident from Meadow
  
  Read more

• UPDATE: Evacuation alerts expand as 9 helicopters respond to Summerland wildfire

  09-08-2026 00:37 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE (6:30 P.M.)
  BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says crews are working to assess impacts to critical infrastructure as the Bald Range wildfire continues to rage in Summerland.
  Firefighters are currently establishing “heavy equipment lines” on the south end of the blaze, between Shingle Creek Road and Big Valley Road.
  The fire remains 10,340 hectares in size.
  Ninety-nine structural protection personnel are on scene.
  Nine helicopters and 108 firefighters have also responded, along with 1
  
  Read more

• 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/
  
  Read more

• 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,
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• ‘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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

Follow @news_nanaimo on Twitter!