Nanaimo news

• ‘We’ll be here for the foreseeable future’: Summerland wildfire grows to almost 20,000 hectares

  15-08-2026 19:19 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Around 300 firefighters and 15 helicopters are battling the Bald Range wildfire, one day after some evacuation orders related to the blaze were downgraded to alerts.
  Residents in the Trout Creek neighbourhood of Summerland, for properties east of Highway 97, were told they could go home early Friday afternoon. Evacuation orders for all properties in the Peachland and Electoral Area West areas were also downgraded to alerts.
  All other previously issued evacuation orders remain in effect, as of Sa
  
  Read more

• Rain kept fire behaviour low at Bald Range blaze west of Summerland: BCWS

  24-08-2026 14:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Rain over the weekend helped keep the Bald Range wildfire at bay over the weekend, but as temperatures rise, fire activity could as well.
  In its latest update from Sunday night, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said that despite gusty winds, rain from the weekend’s thunderstorm kept fire activity low on Aug. 23, along with lower temperatures and higher relative humidity. The northern part of the blaze received 6-7 mm of rain over the weekend, while the southern part experienced minimal rain.
  The
  
  Read more

• Nanaimo Child Development Centre begins fundraising campaign for new play space

  24-08-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Nanaimo Child Development Centre has begun a fundraising campaign to build its long-anticipated new outdoor-play space at its location on Nelson Street.
  Stephanie Schweigert, the NCDC’s lead facilitator of its Drop-In Community Playgroup program, said the centre hopes to raise $50,000 for its new playground during an ongoing six-week campaign that ends on Oct. 1.
  She said what’s so exciting is that the organizers of the Big Kahuna Golf Classic have generously agreed to provide ma
  
  Read more

• Wildfire crews get a handle on 2 of 3 blazes near the Okanagan Connector

  24-08-2026 05:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE: 8 p.m.
  The Lacoma Creek wildfire that sparked off Highway 97C on Sunday is now considered held.
  The blaze grew to .009 hectares and is lightning-caused.
  Another lightning-caused fire in the North Missezula Lake region, south of the Okanagan Connector and east of Highway 5A, is under control at .009 hecatres.
  The Davies Lake blaze, which is the largest of the lightning-caused fires in the area, remains out of control at 1.1 hectares.
  The fire was discovered on Aug. 22, south of Aspen Grov
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Riley Creek fire south of Lillooet still out of control at 3,799 hectares

  24-08-2026 05:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Riley Creek wildfire south of Lillooet is still burning out of control, and was estimated at 3,799 hectares as of Sunday evening (Aug. 23).
  The area received some rainfall overnight on Aug. 22, which helped subdue fire activity but created additional safety hazards with unstable ground, which is likely to contribute to rolling debris. On Sunday, firefighting personnel responded in areas that were safe, given the erosion and terrain challenges.
  BC Wildfire Service says that there has been min
  
  Read more

• 1 of 4 fires held east of Coquihalla Highway, slight growth on another

  24-08-2026 04:43 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE: 7:20 p.m.
  Of the four fires that sparked west of Tulameen and east of the Coquihalla Highway, one blaze is now considered held.
  The Mount Britton blaze grew to 0.4 hectares as BC Wildfire crews and local fire departments got on top of the fire and kept it within the existing perimeter.
  However, the Holm Creek blaze has grown to an estimated 3.89 hectares.
  The largest of the four fires, in the Lower Mount Rabbit area, along the Lawless Creek Forest Service Road, remains at 12.17 hectares
  
  Read more

• No growth on Summerland’s Bald Range wildfire, evaction orders remain

  24-08-2026 04:02 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE: 6:45 p.m.
  The Bald Range wildfire 15 kilometres west of Summerland remains at 25,021 hectares, despite gusty winds on Sunday.
  According to the BC Wildfire Service, the fire behaviour remained lower than in previous days, thanks to rain from Saturday’s thunderstorm, which added moisture to forest fuels.
  “The northern parts of the Bald Range fire received 6 to 7 mm of rain yesterday, however, the south of the fire received minimal rain,” stated BCWS.
  However, starting Mon
  
  Read more

• Red-hot B.C. Lions pick up 4th straight CFL win, thump Saskatchewan 30-16

  24-08-2026 03:49 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The B.C. Lions are on a roll.
  The streaking Lions earned their fourth win in a row, thumping the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders 30-16 in CFL action Sunday at BC Place.
  Quarterback Nathan Rourke passed for 355 yards and two touchdowns for the winners (5-5) who moved into a third-place tie with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the league’s West Division.
  Jevon Cottoy had six catches for 110 yards and a TD for B.C., with Keon Hatcher and Zander Horvath also adding touchdowns. Kicked Sean Whyte
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• WOLF: Fall is the runt of the litter when it comes to seasons

  24-08-2026 02:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  To paraphrase the great Phil Collins, I could feel in coming in the air the other night.
  It, in this case, is the impending arrival of my least favourite of all four seasons – fall.
  Or, as my Nana would always correct me: “it’s autumn, dear.”
  “Oops, sorry Nan. I hope I don’t autumn on those slippery back stairs.”
  What a comedy duo.
  But tried and true chuckles aside, I felt it.
  I walked into the backyard (clad in shorts and a T-shirt on a clear late-Augus
  
  Read more

• More orders, alerts downgraded for Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton

  24-08-2026 02:27 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE 5 P.M. SUNDAY, AUG. 23
  The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has downgraded an evacuation order for 20 addressed properties to evacuation alert, while residents of South Green Lake, 70 Mile House, and Loon Lake have seen their evacuation alert downgraded to all clear.
  The changes went into effect at 3 p.m. on Sunday (Aug. 23), in response to the Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton.
  The evacuation order downgrade applies to the following properties:
  – 1132 to 1260 Hooke Road
  &ndas
  
  Read more

• Severe lightning storm sparks wildfires in Cowichan

  24-08-2026 02:09 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A severe lightning storm Saturday night sparked a number of small wildfires in the Cowichan Valley, several of which are currently listed as out of control by the BC Wildfire Service.
  Wildfires near Cowichan River Provincial Park at Summit Mainline, Chemainus Reserve 13, McKay Peak (northwest of Ladysmith) and Elkhorn Creek (northwest of Ladysmith) are listed as out of control.
  Fires at Stocking Lake (4 km from Ladysmith), and Fairservice Creek near Lake Cowichan are listed as of Sunday afternoo
  
  Read more

• Victoria climate activist joins 1,375 km swim to save Fraser River

  24-08-2026 02:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A Victoria-based climate activist is swimming against the icy cold and powerful waters of the Fraser River in a 1,375-kilometre relay swim.
  Naomi Devine is an advocate and campaign manager for the Fraser River Challenge, swimming with marine ecologist Dr. Isabelle Côté and forest disturbance ecologist Michelle Connolly.
  The expedition started Aug. 6 and will end by Sep. 4 across the Rivershed, with businesses, non-profits, and unions journeying down the river by canoe and raft, alon
  
  Read more

• Highway 1 from Yale to Boston Bar still closed due to Ainslie Creek fire

  24-08-2026 01:03 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Highway 1 remains closed from Toll Road (Yale) to just south of Boston Bar due to the Ainslie Creek wildfire, which is still listed as out of control and was estimated at 67,707 hectares as of Sunday morning (Aug. 23).
  The fire continues to burn above the highway in the Fraser Canyon near Spuzzum and Alexandra Bridge, to the east of the highway and river. Debris fall, including trees and rocks, continues to be a hazard, and periodically impacts Highway 1. All drivers heading north are still able
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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.
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• ‘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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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
  
  Read more

• 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,
  
  Read more

Follow @news_nanaimo on Twitter!