Nanaimo news

• Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton grows to 115,438 hectares

  02-08-2026 20:58 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton continues to grow, and as of Sunday (Aug. 2) was estimated at 115,438 hectares; an increase of nearly 25,000 hectares since Saturday morning, when it was estimated at 90,475 hectares.
  At its southeastern edge the fire has pushed into the Rim Lake wildfire between Loon Lake and Chasm. That fire showed minimal growth overnight on Aug. 1, and as of Sunday was estimated at 4,577 hectares.
  These two fires, along with the French Bar Creek wildfire, make up the Big B
  
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• Divisions within B.C. Conservative caucus fester as party president quits

  21-08-2026 02:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  It was already clear that division and dissension within the B.C. Conservative caucus was rampant when Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar quit the party last week to sit as an Independent.
  Now party president Aisha Estey has resigned after five years at the helm, saying she plans to seek “new opportunities,” and former federal Conservative Party candidate Mauro Francis has taken her place. Vice-president Sharon White quit alongside Estey and was replaced by board member Pavneet Singh.
  
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• UPDATE: More residents in Bradley Creek wildfire area near Vernon can return home

  21-08-2026 02:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Update: 5 p.m.More Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) residents evacuated by the Bradley Creek wildfire are able to return home.The OKIB has partially rescinded an evacuation order for an area around the wildfire Thursday afternoon.The following addresses are no longer on evacuation order.
  Select properties around the Komasket/Blacktown area on reserve:
  • All addresses on Abel Cove Road except 1, 6, 7, 8.
  • All addresses on Fred Road
  • All addresses on Marys Emerald Bay Road
  • 11713
  
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• Aircraft collides with vehicles on Prince George road, injuries unknown

  21-08-2026 01:49 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A serious motor vehicle incident involving a plane shut down a Prince George street on Thursday afternoon.
  The abrupt landing of a two-engine aircraft caused the plane to collide with at least two vehicles on Foothills Boulevard at Highland Drive during a busy commute. A portion of the aircraft’s wing smashed through the windshield of a truck, while the turbofan front fan, along with debris, was seen scattered across the road.
  Emergency crews were called to the scene at about 2:30 p.m. Pri
  
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• Ottawa and B.C. putting up $106.5M to help recover salmon stocks

  21-08-2026 00:55 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. is teaming up with the federal government to provide $106.5 million over the next five years to aid in the conservation of wild Pacific salmon and boost the local fishing industry.
  Federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson announced the funding at the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture annual meeting, held in Victoria this year on Aug. 19 and 20.
  B.C.’s provincial government will be contributing $42.58 million to the joint effort, with Ottawa providing the remainder.
  The i
  
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• UPDATE: Almost all of Summerland can return home; residents remain on alert amid wildfire

  21-08-2026 00:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE 2:50 p.m.
  Almost all of Summerland can now return home.
  Close to 450 properties are no longer under evacuation orders, except for those on Garnet Valley Road north of Wildhorse Road, said Summerland CAO Graham Statt.
  The lifted orders do not include areas in Electoral Area F (Faulder).Residents of around 80 properties still can not return home, Statt said.
  All properties in the community remain on evacuation alert.
  This comes after the municipality lifted evacuation orders for 3,380 prope
  
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• Literacy Central Vancouver Island seeks funding to continue digital training for seniors

  21-08-2026 00:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Literacy Central Vancouver Island is asking for federal funding to continue a program for seniors that teaches digital skills, including identifying online scams.
  Nanaimo’s city council unanimously voted at a recent meeting to send a letter to Employment and Social Development Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program in support of the non-profit’s request for more than $35,000 in funding to continue the program in the area from April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2028.
  Literacy Central
  
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• Nanaimo RCMP respond to mental health crisis involving machete

  20-08-2026 23:43 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Nanaimo RCMP and emergency medical services responded to a mental health call involving a man with a machete.
  Officers responded at around 1:46 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, at the lot of the former doctor’s office at the intersection of Victoria Avenue and 104th Street.
  Tristan Eagle, who works at a neighbouring business, said he called 911 when he heard yelling from across the street.
  “I just came across the corner here and seen the gentleman out here with a two-foot long machete just
  
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• UPDATE: RCMP confirm 2nd fatal drowning at Cultus Lake in less than 2 weeks

  20-08-2026 23:01 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE:
  Chilliwack RCMP have confirmed a person has died after drowning in Cultus Lake on Thursday (Aug. 20). It was the second fatal drowning in less than two weeks at Entrance Bay.
  ORIGINAL STORY:
  Emergency responders were called to Cultus Lake for yet another possible drowning on Thursday.
  The call came in around 1:14 p.m. for the incident at Entrance Bay on Aug. 20.
  Initial reports stated the person was out of the water, but about 15 minutes later it was confirmed they were still in the wate
  
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• Woman in viral Abbotsford littering videos fined $1K

  20-08-2026 22:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Less than 72 hours after a couple of videos began widely circulating online showing a woman littering into local waterways, she has now been identified and fined.
  The viral videos were originally posted on Aug. 17, but the Abbotsford Police Department reported that the incidents shown on the clips originally took place in late July.
  In the videos, a woman is seen dumping items into the water at both Mill Lake and Blue Jay Elementary.
  After being alerted about the videos, police began working wit
  
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• B.C. and Washington fire crews continue to battle wildfire near Hope

  20-08-2026 22:07 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Firefighting efforts continue on both sides of the B.C.-Washington border for a wildfire near Ross Lake that began in July.
  The Border 2 Fire, also known as the Hozomeen Mountain Wildfire, is considered out of control. The fire began near Ross Lake due to lightning strikes on the Washington side of the border on July 17 and quickly moved across the border into Canada. The northern tip of Ross Lake is in Canada, southeast of Hope.
  BC Wildfire Service, US Forest Service and the North Cascades Nati
  
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• Ten years later, Gord Downie’s last performance will be shown again, alongside new album in Nanaimo

  20-08-2026 22:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Crimson Coast Dance Society and Old City Station Pub will be playing The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration as a fundraiser, benefiting the dance society and Gord Downie’s charitable foundation the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund.
  Streamed by CBC on Aug. 22, the show is the 10-year anniversary of the broadcast of The Tragically Hip’s final performance, and will be featured alongside the release of a new live album, The Tragically Hip Live July 22 – August 20, 2016.
  Th
  
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• ‘Just in shock’: 13-year-old golfing phenom wins golf title in B.C. with playoff ace

  20-08-2026 22:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A playoff was supposed to decide the Bear Mountain club championship, but Bentley Hoogerdyk decided it with one swing.
  The 13-year-old Langford golfer made a hole-in-one on the 10th hole at Bear Mountain Golf Club to win the club championship for the second straight year.13-year-old Bentley Hoogerdyk won his second straight Bear Mountain Golf Club Championship this past weekend.
  How did he win it?
  With a hole-in-one on the 10th hole. In a playoff.
  Story to come.
  (Courtesy of Tyler Hoogerdyk) pic
  
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• Province denies commercial wilderness school land use for East Sooke Park

  20-08-2026 21:42 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  An application for a commercial outdoor education and wilderness training operation within East Sooke Park is “incompatible with the existing conservation, recreation and stewardship objectives of the area,” according to a decision from the province.One With Nature was established in 2020 and made its initial application in 2022. The provincial public comment period closed May 6.
  After considering a land use report, referral responses, public engagement results and First Nations cons
  
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• Sooke woman shares decade-long harassment ordeal after conviction

  20-08-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A Sooke woman who says she endured nearly a decade of harassment is speaking publicly about her experience following the conviction of the man she says was responsible.
  Nerissa Wick says the harassment began back around 2017 with late-night calls from blocked or unknown numbers.
  At first, the calls were silent and ended quickly. However, over time, Wick says they became more frequent and escalated to sexually explicit conversations, threatening messages and attempts to contact her through multip
  
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• Island bakery marks 70 years of sweet traditions in the heart of Victoria 

  20-08-2026 20:17 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Seventy years ago, back when a loaf of bread was 20 cents, it was a slower and quieter life in Victoria, transitioning to be the province’s administrative capital it is today.Dutch Bakery and Diner, established on historic Fort Street, was the sweet secret of the city, serving coffee and patisserie to the public.
  Although Victoria has significantly changed over the years, the bakery continues to be the spot where crowds keep coming back to celebrate their special events.
  Dutch Bakery and D
  
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• UPDATE: Bald Range blaze near Summerland now 24,000 hectares

  20-08-2026 20:09 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE 11:05 a.m.
  The Bald Range wildfire is now listed at 24,096 hectares by BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
  In BCWS’ latest update, which came at 10:34 a.m., all listed operations are the same on Wednesday’s.
  BCWS’ response is also the same.
  Original
  As the battle of the Bald Range wildfire continues, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said a combination of factors made some suppression efforts difficult on Wednesday, Aug. 19.
  Throughout Wednesday, BCWS experienced “hot and dry con
  
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• Killer welcome: Vancouver Island newcomer checks orca encounter off bucket list

  20-08-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Living next to one of the Great Lakes of North America, Janice Ward saw plenty of wildlife, but she was always left wanting more.
  What she really wanted to see was an apex predator not found in the lakes of Ontario: an orca.
  To achieve that dream, it would take a lifetime and a move over 4,200 kilometres west.
  “Lake Huron is one of the world’s largest lakes, but nothing near as exciting as the ocean,” she said.
  Ward moved to East Sooke two months ago to begin her retirement wit
  
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• Theft of critical wildfire equipment hinders firefighting efforts in Summerland

  20-08-2026 19:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Amidst wildfire suppression efforts in Summerland, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is urging residents to be on the lookout for stolen critical equipment.
  In a press release by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS), BCWS reported that critical wildfire suppression equipment, including pumps, have been stolen.
  “Theft of wildfire suppression equipment is affecting firefighting operations on the Bald Range Wildfire,” the release reads.
  “Officials emphasized that the equi
  
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• Historic pubs in Chemainus, Saltair and Ladysmith listed for sale through court-ordered process

  20-08-2026 19:39 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Three Vancouver Island pubs owned by businessman Dave Prakash have been listed for sale as part of a court-ordered sales process.
  Vancouver realtor James Barnes, who is handling the listings, confirmed the properties are being sold through a court-ordered process but said the situation is “not technically a foreclosure.”
  Among the properties is the historic Horseshoe Bay Inn in Chemainus, which has been listed for $2.85 million. The landmark hotel, known locally as ‘The Shoe,&r
  
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• Heated Rivalry phenomenon heats up classrooms at B.C. capital’s university

  20-08-2026 19:35 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  There’s no stopping the runaway success of Heated Rivalry.
  The tale of two rival hockey players who secretly fall in love has gone from page-turner to must-see TV — and now it is making the leap into classrooms at the University of Victoria (UVic).
  Two courses launching this fall will take a deep dive into the show’s themes and how they intersect with some of today’s most pressing issues.
  At UVic’s Faculty of Law, Heated Rivalry will be the focus of its Law 357: Que
  
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• Fire at Comox Valley bike shop caused by lithium battery

  20-08-2026 19:26 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The investigation into a Cumberland fire on Aug. 16 has been completed.
  The culprit was a lithium battery that seemingly exploded while charging overnight.
  “A reminder for everyone to avoid leaving electric batteries charging overnight while unattended. Being present while charging can help you detect any issues early and may help prevent a fire. Stay safe and take care when charging lithium batteries,” reads the release.
  Cumberland Fire Rescue was dispatched to an alarm activation i
  
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• VIDEO: Residents suppress wildfire near Chilliwack Lake

  20-08-2026 19:23 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Residents close to a wildfire near Chilliwack Lake were quick to help extinguish the flames before they got further out of control on Aug. 19.A wildfire was reported at about 5 p.m. in the Chilliwack River Valley, and fire crews from the local hall as well as BC Wildfire Service were dispatched. Among the response crew was the River Valley hall’s Squad 1 vehicle, a 4×4 vehicle designed to handle forest service roads.Crews headed to the site, which was reported to be about 5 km off th
  
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• Sextortion on the rise in Kelowna: RCMP

  20-08-2026 19:20 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Kelowna RCMP is making the public aware that reports of sextortion is on the rise.
  Because of this, the RCMP is encouraging the public to learn how to recognize sextortion, protect themselves online, and know where to turn for help.
  “Sextortion, also known as sexual extortion, is a form of online blackmail where an offender threatens to share intimate images or videos of a victim unless they provide money, additional images, or other demands,” stated a Kelowna RCMP press release.
  
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• Scooter involved in crash in Nanaimo

  20-08-2026 19:08 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A man riding a scooter was involved in a crash with a vehicle at the intersection of Graham and Boundary crescents in Nanaimo.
  At approximately 8:44 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, two ambulances responded to the incident, and the man was taken to hospital with undetermined injuries.
  No other information is available at this time.
  
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• Tubers rescued on Courtenay’s Puntledge River

  20-08-2026 18:53 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Two women were rescued on August 18 after first responders were called to ‘swimmers in distress’ along Courtenay’s Puntledge River.
  According to Deputy Fire Chief Jonathan Welsh, crews were initially called to the 200 block of First Street around 7 p.m. but quickly had to re-locate their rescue efforts.
  “Multiple people were reporting changes in locations as they were moving downstream” Welsh says.
  Firefighters carrying throw-bags were positioned at various points a
  
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• Nanaimo-based junior Pirates put out Blaze, win provincial baseball title

  20-08-2026 18:31 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Youth baseball players from Nanaimo and area are revelling at being the best in B.C.
  The junior Mid-Island Pirates, of the B.C. Premier Baseball League, captured the provincial title going 4-0 in the championship tournament in Langley from Aug. 5-9. Two of their victories came against the Langley Blaze and Brandon Dornan, team coach and general manager, told the News Bulletin he was proud of his team’s play.
  The Pirates opened against the Delta Blue Jays on Aug. 5, grabbing a 2-0 victory a
  
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• Alberta driver caught going 142 km/h in a 70 zone on northern B.C. highway

  20-08-2026 18:14 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  An Alberta driver got her vehicle impounded for seven days after police caught her excessively speeding on a northern B.C. highway.B.C. Highway Patrol stopped a black Chevrolet Trax on Highway 97, south of Taylor, on Aug. 13 around 12:45 p.m. after the vehicle was clocked going 142 km/h in a 70 zone, police said in a news release Thursday (Aug. 20).
  The 21-year-old woman from Athabasca was issued a $483 ticket for excessive speeding in addition to the seven-day impound.Police added she was also
  
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• More than 50 BCWS members continue to battle Bradley Creek wildfire in Vernon

  20-08-2026 14:51 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  While the Bradley Creek wildfire has been classified as ‘being held’ for 12 days now, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) continues to have a large presence on scene to get the blaze under control.
  In its latest update, which came on Wednesday, Aug. 19, around 2:30 p.m., BCWS has 47 firefighters, five pieces of heavy equipment, and two helicopters on scene.
  As of Thursday morning, Aug. 20, one evacuation order and two evacuation alerts remain in place.
  At the blaze, BCWS crews are continuing
  
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• From recovery to the podium: Cowichan’s Barry sets Canadian record at water ski worlds

  20-08-2026 14:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Sixteen months after a concussion left her unable to water ski, North Cowichan’s Damaris Barry stood on the podium with a silver medal at the 2026 IWWF World Over 35 Waterski Championships.
  Still battling overstimulation from a concussion, Barry competed for Team Canada at the championships in Calgary from July 19 to 26. Competing in the women’s over-65 jump event, she leapt 14.3 metres (47 feet) to earn the silver medal, becoming the first Canadian woman in her age group to establis
  
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