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The Trozzo Creek fire as seen from Lemon Creek. Photo: Joel Pelletier

West Kootenay wildfires Monday update

Winds and lightning may worsen conditions.

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is among 16 people honoured with the 2021 Order of B.C. Aug. 2 for their contributions to the province. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Dr. Bonnie Henry among 16 awarded Order of B.C.

2021 honourees include Indigenous leaders, artists, doctors

A vial of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is pictured at an Alberta Health Services vaccination clinic in Didsbury, Alta., Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The federal government is expecting to receive more than 2.3 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines this week, as a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections looms driven by the spread of the highly-contagious Delta variant. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Canada to receive 2.3 million COVID-19 vaccine doses this week

As of Friday, 80.3 per cent of those eligible had received a first dose, while 63.7 per cent have received two

Sahtlam Tree Farm owner Robert Russell is photographed in front of his cabin, which he built in the early 70’s, on his 40 acre property in the Cowichan Valley area of Duncan, B.C., on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The recent heat dome and drought have taken a toll on his business of growing trees for the busy Christmas season. Robert farms over 40,000 fir trees including the douglas, grand and noble fir trees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. Christmas tree growers say intense heat singes prized trees, kills seedlings

An expert says said the heat dome could have immediate and long-term impacts for Christmas tree growers

Sahtlam Tree Farm owner Robert Russell is photographed in front of his cabin, which he built in the early 70’s, on his 40 acre property in the Cowichan Valley area of Duncan, B.C., on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The recent heat dome and drought have taken a toll on his business of growing trees for the busy Christmas season. Robert farms over 40,000 fir trees including the douglas, grand and noble fir trees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A Nelson firefighter douses the ground after a wildfire erupted in the city on Saturday. Photo: Nelson Fire and Rescue

Wildfire extinguished in Nelson

Firefighters responded to the fire Saturday evening

A Nelson firefighter douses the ground after a wildfire erupted in the city on Saturday. Photo: Nelson Fire and Rescue
A wildfire burns on a mountain above the Trans-Canada Highway near Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021. British Columbia is reporting a slight increase in the number of active wildfires but cooler temperatures and forecasts of rain ahead could bring some relief. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. wildfire count nears 250 but cooler temperatures, light rain bring some relief

The joint information centre says there have been 1,275 wildfires since April 1

A wildfire burns on a mountain above the Trans-Canada Highway near Lytton, B.C., on Friday, July 9, 2021. British Columbia is reporting a slight increase in the number of active wildfires but cooler temperatures and forecasts of rain ahead could bring some relief. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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Sahtlam Tree Farm owner Robert Russell is photographed in front of his cabin, which he built in the early 70’s, on his 40 acre property in the Cowichan Valley area of Duncan, B.C., on Saturday, July 31, 2021. The recent heat dome and drought have taken a toll on his business of growing trees for the busy Christmas season. Robert farms over 40,000 fir trees including the douglas, grand and noble fir trees. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
B.C. Christmas tree growers say intense heat singes prized trees, kills seedlings
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau listens as Chief Public Health Officer of Canada Dr. Theresa Tam is seen via videoconference during a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa on Friday, June 4, 2021. Federal officials are warning that Canada could be on the brink of a fourth wave of COVID-19 driven by the highly contagious Delta variant if the country opens too fast before enough people have been vaccinated. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Federal modelling warns of 4th COVID wave driven by Delta if reopening is too fast
Visitors to the Calgary Stampede line up for tickets in Calgary on Sunday, July 18, 2021. Alberta Health says 71 people likely acquired COVID-19 while attending the Stampede. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Alberta to end isolation rules for COVID-19 cases, close contacts as cases rise
A BC Wildfire Service firefighter calls out to a colleague out of frame. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
Firefighters put out grass fire east of Grand Forks
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The area between Pandosy Street and KLO Road remains cordoned off as RCMP investigate a suspected targeted shooting that sent two men to the hospital on Saturday, July 31. (Jef Hill/Contributed)

Explosive device found at site of Kelowna shooting that sent 2 men to hospital

Mounties continue to investigate alleged targeted shooting that happened on Saturday, July 31.

The area between Pandosy Street and KLO Road remains cordoned off as RCMP investigate a suspected targeted shooting that sent two men to the hospital on Saturday, July 31. (Jef Hill/Contributed)
Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, vice-president of logistics and operations at the Public Health Agency of Canada, participates in a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa, on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Defence chief’s notes reveal debate over due process, optics on Fortin allegation

Through his lawyers, Fortin has denied any wrongdoing

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, vice-president of logistics and operations at the Public Health Agency of Canada, participates in a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic in Ottawa, on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The Trozzo Creek fire as seen from Lemon Creek. Photo: Joel Pelletier

West Kootenay wildfires weekend update

Winds and lightning may worsen conditions.

The Trozzo Creek fire as seen from Lemon Creek. Photo: Joel Pelletier
Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, holds a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Federal government reaches nearly $8B deal with First Nations on drinking water suit

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised in 2015 to lift all drinking water advisories by this March

Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, holds a press conference in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
(The Canadian Press photo)

An ocean menace: Study finds ghost gear capturing species at risk and lobster

‘We can actually make more money if we clean up our act’

(The Canadian Press photo)
A helicopter carrying a bucket flies past a property at Barnes Lake while battling the Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Heat warning in effect for B.C. as firefighters battle wildfires in province

There are 60 evacuation orders affecting 3,120 properties, an increase of 62

A helicopter carrying a bucket flies past a property at Barnes Lake while battling the Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A tree candles as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns behind the IG Machine & Fibers roofing granule plant, where rock is crushed and coloured and then shipped elsewhere to create roofing shingles, in Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Billions in losses, thousands could die if wildfire response unchanged: report

‘If you look at record-breaking seasons, we’ve spent hundreds of millions of dollars on fire suppression’

A tree candles as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns behind the IG Machine & Fibers roofing granule plant, where rock is crushed and coloured and then shipped elsewhere to create roofing shingles, in Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The sky glows orange as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on a mountain in the distance above Ashcroft, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck.

Severe wildfires could affect community watersheds, says forest service researcher

Water supply downstream is generally expected to be affected when about 20 per cent of a watershed is burned

The sky glows orange as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on a mountain in the distance above Ashcroft, B.C., on Thursday, July 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck.
Anderson Creek in Nelson has been given a severe drought designation. Photo: Renee Harper

Drought level designation added to a Nelson water source by province

The Anderson Creek reporting station showed just 10 per cent of its median flow

Anderson Creek in Nelson has been given a severe drought designation. Photo: Renee Harper
Kootenay Lake and Slocan Lake are being surveyed by Living Lakes Canada for changes to shoreline habitats and human development. Photo: Jim Bailey

Major survey of shorelines about to begin on Kootenay, Slocan lakes

Living Lakes Canada is studying shoreline habitats and human development

Kootenay Lake and Slocan Lake are being surveyed by Living Lakes Canada for changes to shoreline habitats and human development. Photo: Jim Bailey
Corky Evans was the MLA for Nelson-Creston from 1991 to 2001 and from 2005 to 2009. He’s thrilled by a provincial change to allow more secondary housing on agricultural land reserves. File photo

ALR housing rule changes delight landowners, confound administrators

Farmers can have both a principal residence and small secondary residence on property

Corky Evans was the MLA for Nelson-Creston from 1991 to 2001 and from 2005 to 2009. He’s thrilled by a provincial change to allow more secondary housing on agricultural land reserves. File photo
The driver of this truck died after veering across traffic and crashing in Trail on Thursday evening. Photo: RCMP

Driver dies after tractor trailer crashes in Trail

The vehicle crossed the highway and went over a steep bank Thursday

The driver of this truck died after veering across traffic and crashing in Trail on Thursday evening. Photo: RCMP
Kaslo Village Hall. File photo

Kaslo council roundup: SS Moyie repairs explained

All the news from the July 14th meeting

Kaslo Village Hall. File photo
Wildfire in Lytton, B.C., seen on June 30, 2021. (@guyatsfu/Twitter)

B.C. offers $1,200 to wildfire evacuees out more than 10 days

Red Cross program distributes aid for Lytton residents, others

Wildfire in Lytton, B.C., seen on June 30, 2021. (@guyatsfu/Twitter)