The wildfire situation is continually evolving, and the information below is current as of 7 p.m. (Pacific time) on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021.Fires:Wildfires burning in B.C.: 254Since April 1, 2021:1,530 wildfires858,292 hectares of area burnedActive fires by fire centre:Cariboo: 30Coastal: 19Kamloops: 82Northwest: 5Prince George: 52Southeast: 66Resources:Firefighters and other personnel fighting the fires: 3,728Out-of-province firefighters: 520Helicopters and planes supporting ground crews: 206Evacuations:Evacuation orders: 75Evacuation alerts: 118 (-4)Properties:Number of properties on order:

Erin O'Toole says he believes doctors have the right to refuse some services if they object for reasons of conscience. But the federal Conservative leader told reporters in Winnipeg today that those doctors must then refer patients seeking services like abortion or medical assistance in dying to another provider. O'Toole had faced questions about his position on conscience rights for health professionals after a promise to uphold them appeared in his party's election platform. He accused Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau of trying to divide Canadians because of his attack on Conservatives over th

Justin Trudeau says a re-elected Liberal government would introduce 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers. At a campaign event in Winnipeg this morning, the Liberal leader said he also wants to work with lower levels of government so everyone qualifies for paid sick leave.The Liberals had previously introduced three days of paid personal leave for federally regulated workers. At a campaign event in Winnipeg this morning, the Liberal leader said no one should choose between staying safe and paying their bills.

The United States is extending restrictions on non-essential travel at land and ferry border crossings until Sept. 21.The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says in a tweet the measures are being kept in effect to reduce the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant.It says it will keep ensuring "the flow of essential trade and travel" and keep working with health and medical experts, as well as international partners, to figure out when things can safely return to normal.The restrictions, which have been in place since March 2020, were set to expire Saturday.

B.C. is reporting 689 new cases of COVID-19, for a total of 158,256 cases in the province.There are 5,982 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 150,377 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 121 individuals are in hospital and 56 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation. In the past 24 hours, two new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 1,784. The new deaths include:Interior Health: oneNorthern Health: oneThere is one new long-term care facility outbreak at Heritage Village (Fraser Health). The outbreak a

A North Vancouver man is facing multiple criminal charges after a traffic stop nets drugs and a loaded firearm. On July 17th, 2021, a WVPD officer was travelling through North Vancouver when he conducted a traffic stop in the 1700 blk. of Main St. The driver, a North Vancouver resident, was found to be the subject of two arrest warrants, and he was taken into custody. A search of his vehicle yielded a loaded handgun, weapons, drugs packaged for sale, and police-like equipment including a holster, fake police badge, and gun belt. Some of the items had been hidden in secret compartments througho

Ambulance staff called police last week when a man in need of medical attention was unwilling to go to hospital. Officers arrived and were able to convince the man to get in the ambulance. The paramedics requested an officer ride in the back of the ambulance to escort them to the hospital.While in the ambulance, the man became aggressive, and punched the officer in the face. A struggle ensued, but police were able to help restrain him until they arrived safely at the hospital.The officer suffered minor injuries. The suspect could face a charge of assault peace officer.

The British Columbia government says two English place names on the Sunshine Coast are changing to reflect the language and culture of local Indigenous Peoples. The Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation and the Forests Ministry say in a joint statement they've been working with the shishalh Nation on the changes. They say the community of Wilson Creek, south of Sechelt, is to be called ts'ukw'um, and the nearby Saltery Bay south of Powell River is now skelhp. Shishalh Chief Warren Paull says recognizing the original names of the area has great meaning to the community and it's o

Conservation officers say another person has been bitten by an aggressive coyote in Vancouver's Stanley Park. The province's Conservation Officer Service says in a social media post that a man walking on a trail near the southwest side of the park was nipped on the leg Tuesday night. The 69-year-old was not seriously hurt and officers say they were not told about the bite right away so they could not immediately track the animal. They say it happened around dusk, which, like early morning, is the time of day when coyotes are known to be most active. Officers are urging the public to use cauti