Hiker dies after fall while climbing Gimli Peak in Valhalla Provincial Park
A 23-year-old hiker from Quebec has died in a climbing accident Tuesday in the Valhalla Provincial Park near Winlaw. Slocan RCMP said Tuesday at approximately 2:51 p.m. the detachment responded to a report of a female hiker who had fallen approximately 100 feet down a cliff on Gimli Peak. Gimli Peak is located on edge […]
Canadian Mental Health warns of potential trauma during wildfire season
Being forced from one’s home by a natural disaster is a rare occurrence that most of us will never face. However, tens of thousands of British Columbians are going through this upheaval right now as hundreds of wildfires burn throughout the province. Mental health experts warn that the emotional toll of disaster can be as...
Public urged to stay away from active wildfire areas
The BC Wildfire Service is urging members of the public to stay away from active wildfires wherever they may be in the province. British Columbia's fire management professionals, hardworking firefighters, aircraft crews and contracted firefighters need plenty of room to do this challenging work. The presence of unauthorized...
Fire and Smoke Update from Southeast Fire Centre
The Southeast Fire Centre has issued the following bulletin: BC Wildfire Service personnel are currently responding to 25 lightning-caused wildfires throughout the Southeast Fire Centre. Although some of these fires are highly visible from surrounding communities, none of them is immediately threatening communities or structures....
BC Wildfire Services welcomes first wave of support
The provincial government announced the first of 310 firefighting personnel from other Canadian agencies began arriving in British Columbia on Sunday, July 9, 2017, to help the BC Wildfire Service get the upper hand on the 225 wildfires that are burning in the province. Under normal circumstances, the BC Wildfire Service has sufficient staff, aircraft […]
RCMP investigate accident that claimed life of Grand Forks woman
A Grand Forks woman has died and the 13-year-old female was severely injured after a two-vehicle collision early Sunday near the community of Jaffray in the East Kootenay. Cranbrook RCMP said the collision occurred at approximately 2:30 a.m. when an east bound pickup truck crossed the center of the roadway, for unknown reasons, into the […]
ICBC offers important information for customers affected by wildfires
With the province under a state of emergency due to the hundreds of wildfires in progress throughout B.C., ICBC is advising customers to protect their vehicles and important documents and to avoid driving near impacted areas. For customers on evacuation alert: Pack all essential ID and documents in preparation for an evacuation. These documents include […]
Bombi fire quickly extinguished
A vehicular fire up the Bombi, which frightened many residents, was quickly extinguished by the Volunteer Ootischenia Fire Department. OFD Chief George Hamm said the car was fully involved upon arrival of fire crews, with, `fire rolling down the hill because of the oil leak,`and a section of forest about 10 feet by 8 feet...
RDCK encourages residents following provincial state of emergency
After Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Emergency Management BC, announced a provincial state of emergency Friday, the Regional District of Central Kootenay has sent out its own release asking the public to be ready in case wildfires strike the region. In a release Saturday,...
UPDATED: Special Weather Statement ends as temperatures begin to cool
Environment Canada has ended the Special Weather Statement for the Boundary/West Kootenay as temperatures begin to cool into Sunday evening and Monday. The Environment Canada Monday forecast calls for a mix of sun and cloud, becoming cloudy near noon with 60 percent chance of showers in the afternoon as well as a risk of a […]
