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BCAug 16, 2021

268 wildfires burning in B.C.

The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021.Fires:Since April 1, 2021:1,511 wildfires766,709 hectaresCurrently burning: 268Active fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 32Coastal: 21Kamloops: 86Northwest: 5Prince George: 60Southeast: 64Resources:Total personnel: 3,701Contract firefighters: 1,236Out-of-province personnel: 480Aircraft (rotary and fixed-wing): 213Evacuations:Evacuation orders: 74 (+13)Evacuation alerts: 119 (-1)Properties:Number of properties on order: 6,607 (+717)Number of properties on alert: 1
b-c-reports-717-new-covid-19-cases
BCAug 13, 2021

B.C. reports 717 new COVID-19 cases

B.C. is reporting 717 new cases of COVID-19, including 11 epi-linked cases, for a total of 155,079 cases in the province.There are 4,277 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 148,964 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 82 individuals are in hospital and 39 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.The new/active cases include:140 new cases in Fraser HealthTotal active cases: 821101 new cases in Vancouver Coastal HealthTotal active cases: 593376 new cases in Interior HealthTotal active cases: 2,44660 new cases in Nort
police-remind-public-open-alcohol-not-permitted
BCAug 13, 2021

Police remind public open alcohol not permitted

As we head into a warm and sunny weekend, Vancouver Police are reminding everyone that open alcohol in public places is prohibited."Generally speaking, we have seen a substantial increase in open consumption of alcohol in the downtown core, despite there being designated spaces set out by the City of Vancouver," says Constable Tania Visintin, VPD.Along the Granville Entertainment District, officers report a 607 per cent increase in liquor pour outs since June 1, compared to the same period last year, and an 84 per cent increase since 2019."The Granville Mall is a place people are congregating
6-237-properties-on-evacuation-orders-amid-268-wildfires-in-b-c
BCAug 13, 2021

6,237 properties on evacuation orders amid 268 wildfires in B.C.

The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021.Fires:Since April 1, 2021:1,486 wildfires660,071 hectares of area burnedWildfires burning in B.C.: 268Active fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 33Coastal: 23Kamloops: 87Northwest: 5Prince George: 60Southeast: 60Resources:Total personnel: 3,793Contract firefighters: 1,214Out-of-province personnel: 411Aircraft (rotary and fixed-wing): 205Evacuations:Evacuation orders: 56 (+1)Evacuation alerts: 108 (+3)Properties:Number of properties on order: 6,237 (+1,645)Number
BCAug 13, 2021

Heat, low humidity and wind gusts hobbling firefighting efforts in the province

BC's deputy forests minister says heat, low humidity and wind gusts are hobbling firefighting efforts in the province.Rick Manwaring says there's no rain in sight, temperatures are rising and gusty winds are expected across several parts of southern B-C.He says fire personnel usually take advantage of cooler temperatures at night to put in fire guards and take advantage of the decreased blaze behaviour.But this year, he says they haven't had much of a dip in temperatures or an increase in humidity to help them, especially in the south-central part of the province.
b-c-reports-513-new-covid-19-cases-as-active-cases-climb-to-3-834
BCAug 12, 2021

B.C. reports 513 new COVID-19 cases as active cases climb to 3,834

B.C. is reporting 513 new cases of COVID-19, including one epi-linked case, for a total of 154,362 cases in the province.There are 3,834 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 148,702 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 81 individuals are in hospital and 33 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the past 24 hours, one new death (Interior Health) has been reported, for an overall total of 1,779.There are eight active outbreaks in:long-term care: Holyrood Manor, Kin Village West Court, Evergreen Baptist Care Soc
three-temperature-records-set-in-b-c-in-advance-of-todays-arrival-of-scorching-conditions-forecast-for-the-region-environment-canada
BCAug 12, 2021

Three temperature records set in B.C. in advance of today's arrival of scorching conditions forecast for the region: Environment Canada

Environment Canada says three temperature records were set in the southern Interior yesterday in advance of today's arrival of scorching conditions forecast for the region. Penticton's temperature of 36.7 easily broke a record for the day set in that city 54 years ago, while a setting of 37.5 broke a 40-year-old record in Princeton and fire-ravaged Lytton was again the hot spot at 40.3 degrees edging a record set seven years ago. The weather office warns heat, coupled with humidity could make conditions from Vancouver Island to the southern and central Interior feel like the mid to high-30s o
b-c-seniors-care-staff-must-be-vaccinated-dr-bonnie-henry
BCAug 12, 2021

B.C. seniors' care staff must be vaccinated: Dr. Bonnie Henry

British Columbia will now require all people working in long-term care and assisted living facilities to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says people living in such settings are at particular risk to COVID-19 and transmission from unvaccinated people has led to outbreaks. Dr. Henry says the deadline for workers to get vaccinated is October 12.
264-wildfires-burning-in-b-c-4-592-properties-on-evacuation-order
BCAug 12, 2021

264 wildfires burning in B.C.; 4,592 properties on evacuation order

The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021.FiresWildfires currently burning in B.C.: 264Since April 1, 2021:1,472 wildfires656,445 hectares of area burnedActive fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 33Coastal: 21Kamloops: 84Northwest: 5Prince George: 58Southeast: 63ResourcesFirefighters and other personnel currently fighting the fires: 3,725Out-of-province firefighters: 439Helicopters and planes supporting ground crews: 207EvacuationsEvacuation orders: 55 (-5)Evacuation alerts: 105Properties:Number of pro

Just In

CanadaSep 17, 2026

Canada Must Focus on Value-Added Products Instead of Raw Materials: EDC

Amid the federal government’s efforts to open up new markets, Export Development Canada (EDC) said in a report released Thursday that Canada needs to invest in processing raw materials domestically and turning them into higher-value products instead of exporting them in their raw form. EDC CEO Alison Nankivell said such investments could add nearly $100 billion to Canada’s GDP over the next decade. The report used yellow peas as an example. While exporting raw peas may generate about $30 per tonne, processing them into flour can raise the value to $300 per tonne. Turning them into products
16-arrested-in-abbotsford-retail-theft-operation-project-pumpkin-spice
BCSep 17, 2026

16 Arrested in Abbotsford Retail Theft Operation ‘Project Pumpkin Spice’

Abbotsford Police have arrested 16 people accused of shoplifting as part of Project Pumpkin Spice, a retail crime enforcement operation conducted on Sept. 11 as part of a nationwide campaign. According to police, 11 officers from the Abbotsford Police Department’s Street Outreach Response Team worked with 20 local businesses during the 10-hour operation. Sgt. Paul Walker said several of those arrested had previous criminal records and outstanding warrants. Police recovered more than $1,600 worth of stolen merchandise during the operation. A vehicle allegedly used in the offences was also sei
b-c-municipalities-urge-eby-to-hold-provincial-election-after-local-vote
BCSep 17, 2026

B.C. Municipalities Urge Eby to Hold Provincial Election After Local Vote

British Columbia’s political scene is heating up amid signals from Premier David Eby that an early provincial election could be called. Amid the uncertainty, Union of B.C. Municipalities president Cory Ramsay is calling for any potential mid-term provincial election to be held only after the municipal elections are completed. Ramsay noted that local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, with campaigning beginning Sept. 19 across 188 communities. He warned that calling a provincial election during the municipal campaign could distract more than 3,500 local candidates and residents from key iss
police-take-major-action-in-burnaby-hospital-fire-case-after-six-year-investigation
BCSep 17, 2026

Police Take Major Action in Burnaby Hospital Fire Case After Six-Year Investigation

Police have charged a 29-year-old Alberta man in connection with a fire at Burnaby Hospital in 2020, following an investigation that lasted nearly six years. Burnaby RCMP said the B.C. Prosecution Service approved charges against Yu Yun Wang on September 8, including arson and endangering human life. The fire broke out on November 15, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in the hospital’s mental health services wing. The blaze caused millions of dollars in damage, forced the emergency department to close and led to the evacuation of patients. Police said the suspect was identified in 2023 aft
AlbertaSep 17, 2026

Alberta Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Sexual Assaults on Vulnerable Women

An Alberta man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for a series of sexual assaults against vulnerable women at a rural property near Calgary. Richard Robert Mantha, 62, was convicted of six offences, including drugging one of his victims, in incidents that occurred between 2019 and 2023. He was also found guilty of uttering threats against another woman. The court heard that most of the victims worked in the sex trade. Justice Judith Shriar said Mantha showed “callous disrespect” when he laughed as one terrified victim fled his rural property, fearing for her life. Mantha received cre