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b-c-s-farmers-concerned-about-impacts-of-climate-change
BCAug 28, 2023

B.C.'s farmers concerned about impacts of climate change

B.C. farmers say they're increasingly concerned about climate change and the impacts of extreme weather on food production in the province.Because of its warm climate, B.C. has a unique agriculture industry.The province's farmers can grow fruit and vegetables that won't grow in other parts of Canada, and B.C. also boasts of Western Canada's only major winery regions.But in the last three years, B.C. farmers have suffered through drought, extreme heat, flooding and fires.These disasters have resulted in crop failures, livestock losses and widespread damage to farmland and infrastructure.Some fa
houses-of-13-fire-fighters-burnt-in-forest-fire
BCAug 25, 2023

Houses of 13 fire fighters burnt in forest fire

The chief of a small rural fire department in the B.C.'s Okanagan area says 13 members of his own crew have lost their homes while fighting wildfires this season.Wilson's Landing Fire Chief Paul Zydowicz says members of the department still continued their fight to extinguish the wildfire.Their homes were among 181 destroyed around Okanagan Lake last week.Zydowicz says those who have lost their homes will be cared for by emergency support services.Much of the area in the west of the lake is still under evacuation orders.It is worth noting that there are currently about 370 wildfires active in
travel-ban-lifted-for-bcs-okanagan
BCAug 25, 2023

Travel ban lifted for BC's Okanagan

A travel ban has been lifted for BC's Okanagan region as wildfires subside after this week's rain.Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma announced yesterday that travel restrictions for West Kelowna have been lifted from midnight.On August 9, travel restrictions were imposed in most parts of the region.Parts of West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and parts of Lake Country are however still under evacuation orders.Travel bans for Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna and Kamloops were lifted earlier.The Emergency Operations Center has appealed that people returning home should ensure safety.The Stein Mou
heavy-rains-in-the-south-of-british-columbia-helped-crews-control-the-blaze
BCAug 24, 2023

Heavy rains in the south of British Columbia helped crews control the blaze

The Okanagan and Shuswap areas of British Columbia received heavy rainfall on Wednesday.BC Wildfire Service information officer Forrest Tower says about 20 millimeters of rain has fallen in the past day, which has helped the firefighters in fighting the blaze.Firefighters battling the McDougall Creek wildfire near Kelowna say the fire is coming under control due to last night's showers.Wildfires have wreaked havoc in BC's southern interior, forcing about 25,000 people to evacuate their homes.Tower says the Bush Creek East fire in the Shuswap area remains the state's top priority wildfire and 1
heavy-rain-helped-douse-wildfires-in-british-columbia
BCAug 23, 2023

Heavy rain helped douse wildfires in British Columbia

Firefighters in the Okanagan say heavy rain overnight has helped put out the wildfire.Thousands of people were forced to leave their homes due to this fire.Firefighters said 174 homes have been damaged by the blaze that has raged around Okanagan Lake since last Thursday.West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund says a total of 84 properties were damaged in West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation.North Westside Fire Rescue Chief Ross Kotscherofski says the rain helped put out the fire on the east side.In a wildfire update issued on Tuesday, West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund said more than 3,000
wildfires-in-mcdougall-now-under-control
BCAug 22, 2023

Wildfires in McDougall now under control

The intensity of the McDougall Creek wildfire has decreased.Dozens of evacuation orders and alerts issued in B.C.'s Okanagan Valley have been reduced.Central Okanagan Emergency Operations announced that residents of several properties within Westbank First Nation, Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country can return home, but should still be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.Five properties in Kelowna were destroyed while several in Lake Country sustained exterior damage, Kelowna Mayor Tom Deas said.
wildfire-smoke-is-toxic-may-cause-health-issues-expert
BCAug 22, 2023

'Wildfire smoke is toxic, may cause health issues': Expert

Experts say that the smoke spread in Metro Vancouver due to forest fires is toxic and can cause many health problems.Burnaby's Dr. Susan Kwan says the air is full of toxins that will make it difficult for people to breathe, whether they have health problems or not.She said that air contains nitric oxide and aromatic hydrocarbons, and such elements are toxic to the body.This can cause skin irritation, eye irritation, itching, pain or irritation in the nose.Dr. Kwan says that to avoid these problems, limit your outdoor time and drink plenty of water.The smoke is expected to persist for the next
too-early-to-estimate-insured-losses-from-the-fires-the-insurance-bureau-of-canada
BCAug 22, 2023

'Too early to estimate insured losses from the fires' : The Insurance Bureau of Canada

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says it may not be possible to estimate insured losses from the fires currently burning in British Columbia, however, experts say that one should start processing the insurance claims as soon as possible. .Daniel Ivans of Rates dot ca says that when filing a claim, not every detail of the damage needs to be provided right now, and relevant information can be added later.The Insurance Bureau of Canada says all standard homeowners and tenant insurance policies cover fire damage, and also provide coverage to help with mass evacuation costs.
at-least-50-buildings-lost-to-wildfire-in-west-kelowna-b-c-officials
BCAug 21, 2023

'At least 50 buildings lost to wildfire in West Kelowna' : B.C. officials

The West Kelowna fire chief says at least 50 structures have been destroyed by the McDougal Creek fire on both sides of Okanagan Lake.Jason Brolund says the damage assessment is not complete and the status of more buildings is likely to be confirmed in the coming days.Officials, however, have said that the crew has made good progress in the last few days and no casualties have been reported in the last 24 hours.The fire is still spreading in about 11,000 hectares.Evacuation orders and alerts continue for various communities in Kelowna and West Kelowna.

Just In

police-cleared-in-fatal-2024-shooting-of-woman-in-surrey-b-c
BCSep 26, 2025

Police cleared in fatal 2024 shooting of woman in Surrey, B.C.

British Columbia's independent police watchdog says an officer was justified in using lethal force in the fatal shooting of a woman threatening her baby.The Independent Investigations Office says in a report released Friday that on Sept. 19, 2024, the Surrey, B.C., officer shot the woman who was holding scissors to her baby's neck.The report says the situation was made worse because the woman spoke little to no English, and there were no Spanish speaking services available other than the use of Google translate.Police had responded to a call after someone reported the woman breaking things and
vpd-investigates-pedestrian-fatality
BCSep 26, 2025

VPD investigates pedestrian fatality

Vancouver Police are investigating a pedestrian fatality that occurred last night, and are asking anyone with information to call police. The pedestrian, a 38-year-old man, was struck by a white Tesla at the intersection of Terminal Avenue and Western Street September 25 just before 8:30 p.m. Despite life-saving attempts from first responders, the pedestrian died at the scene. The driver of the Tesla remained at the scene. Speed and impairment are not considered factors in the collision. Anyone with information is asked to call VPD’s Collision Investigation Unit at 604-717-3012.
canada-not-part-of-mass-walkout-when-israel-pm-netanyahu-spoke-at-un-general-assembly
CanadaSep 26, 2025

Canada not part of mass walkout when Israel PM Netanyahu spoke at UN General Assembly

Canada was not part of a mass walkout this morning during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the United Nations General Assembly. The office of Canadian Ambassador Bob Rae says he remained seated during Netanyahu's address as dozens of diplomats from other countries walked out of the chamber. The official presiding over the speeches had to call for order multiple times as delegations, including many from developing countries, rose to leave the room. In his speech, Netanyahu said the "disgraceful decision" by countries like Canada to recognize a Palestinian state will encour
talks-to-resume-between-b-c-government-and-its-public-service-union
BCSep 26, 2025

Talks to resume between B.C. government and its public service union

Talks are resuming between the union representing British Columbia's public service workers and the provincial government. Paul Finch, president of the BC General Employees' Union, says the government has reached out to the union saying it has a new offer and negotiations will start again on Monday. Finch says union pickets will remain up. The union has been conducting escalating strike action over the last four weeks, with up to 15,000 workers conducting job actions including picketing and overtime bans. Finch told a gathering in Victoria that there has been unprecedented level
WorldSep 26, 2025

Transportation Department tightens noncitizen truck driver rules after fatal crash in Florida

The Transportation Department will immediately tighten up the requirements for non-citizens to get commercial drivers licenses after three fatal crashes this year in Florida, Texas and Alabama that officials say were caused by immigrant truck drivers who never should have received licenses. The nationwide audit of these licenses began after a fatal U-turn crash in Florida that killed two people caused by a truck driver who officials said was in the country illegally. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said also threatened to revoke $160 million in federal funding for California because inve