Saturday, March 14, 2026
ADVT 
National

Wildfires continue to drop in B.C., just over 40 blazes burning out of control

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Aug, 2024 10:22 AM
  • Wildfires continue to drop in B.C., just over 40 blazes burning out of control

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has lifted its final evacuation orders due to the Shetland Creek wildfire in British Columbia's southern Interior.

A bulletin from the district says the all-clear notice affects 12 properties in the Venables Valley area between Ashcroft and Spences Bridge, B.C.

The fire that's now classified as "being held" within its current or predetermined perimeter was discovered July 12 and grew quickly, prompting the district to issue evacuation orders covering about 100 properties over the next few days.

The BC Wildfire Service says the 279-square-kilometre fire is displaying "stable" activity and crews will continue to tackle hot spots wherever they're accessible.

The number of out-of-control wildfires continues to drop across the province on the heels of a cold front bringing rain and fall-like temperatures to many areas.

B.C. has just over 270 active blazes with 15 per cent or about 40 of those fires classified as burning out of control.

That's down from more than 100 out-of-control fires last week.

None of the current blazes are considered "wildfires of note," a designation issued when a fire is highly visible or poses a threat to people or infrastructure.

B.C. government officials are set to provide an update on the wildfire and drought situation in the province later Wednesday.

Campfire bans were set to lift in many regions starting at noon, though other kinds of open burning continue to be prohibited in most areas and the wildfire service is urging people to stay diligent in controlling their campfires.

Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris, they must have sufficient water available to douse the fire, and they must never leave the flames unattended, the service says in a social media post.

A campfire is any fire that's no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide. Anything larger is considered a Category 2 open fire.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Canada's spy agency saw low-level Chinese meddling activities in 2019 election: Gould

Canada's spy agency saw low-level Chinese meddling activities in 2019 election: Gould
The former minister of democratic institutions says she was told after the October 2019 federal election that Canada's spy agency had seen low-level foreign interference activities by China. Karina Gould, who held the portfolio from early 2017 to November 2019, said in a classified interview last month that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service indicated the activities were similar to what had been seen in the past.

Canada's spy agency saw low-level Chinese meddling activities in 2019 election: Gould

BoC holds key rate at 5%

BoC holds key rate at 5%
Governor Tiff Macklem says economic data since January has improved the central bank’s confidence that inflation will continue to slow, even as economic growth picks up. The governor says while the Bank of Canada is seeing the evidence it needs to begin lowering interest rates, it needs to see price pressures ease for longer to make sure the decline in inflation is sustained.  

BoC holds key rate at 5%

B.C. announces one-time $430 rent relief benefit to low-income seniors

B.C. announces one-time $430 rent relief benefit to low-income seniors
The British Columbia government is granting a one-time $430 benefit to the roughly 20,000 seniors in its support program for elderly low-income renters. B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon says eligible seniors don't need to apply for the payment, which will be sent out this month.

B.C. announces one-time $430 rent relief benefit to low-income seniors

Two blows to B.C.'s credit status, as S&P cuts rating and Moody's turns negative

Two blows to B.C.'s credit status, as S&P cuts rating and Moody's turns negative
British Columbia's credit status took a double blow on Tuesday, with S&P downgrading the province due to the risk of "outsize" deficits, and Moody's turning its outlook negative. S&P Global Ratings blamed big government spending as it dropped its credit rating for the province and BC Hydro's provincially guaranteed unsecured debt from AA status to AA-minus.

Two blows to B.C.'s credit status, as S&P cuts rating and Moody's turns negative

B.C. makes it easier to salvage timber damaged by wildfires

B.C. makes it easier to salvage timber damaged by wildfires
The B.C. government says it's making it easier for forestry companies to salvage timber damaged by wildfires. Sustainable Forestry Innovation Minister Andrew Mercier says in a statement that changes to the price of fees for harvesting timber on Crown land make salvage "more economic," and will speed up forest regeneration.

B.C. makes it easier to salvage timber damaged by wildfires

B.C. moves alone on Surrey Police Service after mayor, council refuse to leave RCMP

B.C. moves alone on Surrey Police Service after mayor, council refuse to leave RCMP
British Columbia is moving ahead with the transition to an independent police service in Surrey after the mayor and council refused to part ways with the RCMP.  Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says a plan is in place for the continued transition to the independent Surrey Police Service, and he'll release more details next week on how that will work. 

B.C. moves alone on Surrey Police Service after mayor, council refuse to leave RCMP