Latest news with #Nissen
Calgary Herald
7 days ago
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
'It was apocalyptic': Neighbouring Hinton learns many lessons from Jasper wildfire
At first glance, you might be fooled into thinking that Hinton Mayor Nicholas Nissen is the most laid-back guy in town. When he's out in public, he wears shades and a blue sun hat, giving him the air of a man of leisure. Article content But Nissen is a former Jasper resident and previously worked in search and rescue operations as a member of the Canadian military. He was part of 442 Squadron, which in 2012 won a global award at the Shephard's Search and Rescue Conference in Dublin, for its rescue of an injured hiker in Hat Mountain, B.C. Nissen vividly remembers rescue operations during the Calgary floods. When he became mayor, part of his orientation was disaster management, and a list of previous Canadian catastrophes was listed. To him, it was like a checklist of hockey cards, 'done that one, seen that one, worked that one.' Article content Article content So, Nissen, as a disaster expert and the mayor of a community that's just outside the eastern boundary of Jasper National Park, is uniquely qualified to speak to the wildfire, and how his town of nearly 10,000 has been affected. Over the past couple of years, Hinton has become the home away from home for wildfire evacuees; people fled west from Edson in 2023, and east from Jasper in 2024. Article content Article content 'We have seen a number of people who are displaced out of Jasper who have settled into Hinton for maybe temporary terms, maybe the long haul,' said Nissen. 'It's tough to give statistics because, at the municipality, we don't really track numbers. But I can say anecdotally that there are a number of people from Jasper who have relocated into Hinton for one reason or another after the fires, and they're very active in our community. They're taking part in all of our community groups. They're volunteering. They're becoming embedded in our community.' Article content But, like Edson and Jasper, Hinton is surrounded by forest. It's a town that depends heavily on pulp and paper. Mondi's Hinton mill produces 250,000 tonnes of unbleached kraft pulp per year. And that means fire risk is something that is regularly on Nissen's mind. In fact, after he left the military, he and his wife settled in Jasper. But one of the reasons they chose to leave was because of what they saw as unreasonable fire risk. Nissen saw the large number of dead evergreen trees that surrounded the town, and he felt in his bones that Jasper was a disaster waiting to happen. Sadly, he was right. Article content Article content 'So, our own fire department has lessons learned directly from having the feet on the ground,' said Nissen. 'We had a very dramatic night, with smoke billowing out from behind the mountains, and large chunks of disgusting black soot falling all over the community.
Edmonton Journal
7 days ago
- General
- Edmonton Journal
'It was apocalyptic': Neighbouring Hinton learns many lessons from Jasper wildfire
At first glance, you might be fooled into thinking that Hinton Mayor Nicholas Nissen is the most laid-back guy in town. When he's out in public, he wears shades and a blue sun hat, giving him the air of a man of leisure. Article content But Nissen is a former Jasper resident and previously worked in search and rescue operations as a member of the Canadian military. He was part of 442 Squadron, which in 2012 won a global award at the Shephard's Search and Rescue Conference in Dublin, for its rescue of an injured hiker in Hat Mountain, B.C. Nissen vividly remembers rescue operations during the Calgary floods. When he became mayor, part of his orientation was disaster management, and a list of previous Canadian catastrophes was listed. To him, it was like a checklist of hockey cards, 'done that one, seen that one, worked that one.' Article content Article content Article content So, Nissen, as a disaster expert and the mayor of a community that's just outside the eastern boundary of Jasper National Park, is uniquely qualified to speak to the wildfire, and how his town of nearly 10,000 has been affected. Over the past couple of years, Hinton has become the home away from home for wildfire evacuees; people fled west from Edson in 2023, and east from Jasper in 2024. Article content Article content 'We have seen a number of people who are displaced out of Jasper who have settled into Hinton for maybe temporary terms, maybe the long haul,' said Nissen. 'It's tough to give statistics because, at the municipality, we don't really track numbers. But I can say anecdotally that there are a number of people from Jasper who have relocated into Hinton for one reason or another after the fires, and they're very active in our community. They're taking part in all of our community groups. They're volunteering. They're becoming embedded in our community.' Article content Article content But, like Edson and Jasper, Hinton is surrounded by forest. It's a town that depends heavily on pulp and paper. Mondi's Hinton mill produces 250,000 tonnes of unbleached kraft pulp per year. And that means fire risk is something that is regularly on Nissen's mind. In fact, after he left the military, he and his wife settled in Jasper. But one of the reasons they chose to leave was because of what they saw as unreasonable fire risk. Nissen saw the large number of dead evergreen trees that surrounded the town, and he felt in his bones that Jasper was a disaster waiting to happen. Sadly, he was right. Article content Article content 'So, our own fire department has lessons learned directly from having the feet on the ground,' said Nissen. 'We had a very dramatic night, with smoke billowing out from behind the mountains, and large chunks of disgusting black soot falling all over the community.
South Wales Argus
22-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire Council greenlights new building projects
Among the recently approved applications are plans to convert a milking parlour and Nissen barn into a home and the extension of an annexe. Milking parlour into home Plans to turn a former milking parlour and Nissen barn into a home at Upper Cae Garw Farm in Trellech were approved on June 9. Annexe extension The extension of an annexe at Rhewl Cottage, Shirenewton will also go ahead after approval given on June 10. Refurbishment and creation of sports changing facilities A project to refurbish and create new sports changing facilities at Rogiet Hub has also been approved on June 11. Removal of modern stud wall Graig House in Cross Ash has received the go-ahead for the reinstatement of a doorway and the removal of a modern stud wall on June 9. Roof extension In Llanellen, the rear extension roof at 16 Ashgrove will be raised following approval on June 6. Garden room A garden room will be built at Crick Farm in Penallt with approval given on June 9. Replacement garage and utility room A replacement garage and utility room, as well as a new oak frame garage, will be constructed at The Knoll in Usk after approval on June 6. Tree felling A tree felling project at Castle Vale in Usk and works to cherry trees and hawthorn at The Vicarage in Raglan have both been approved on June 9. Single dwelling A plan for a single dwelling at St Christopher's House in Chepstow has been given the nod, subject to a Section 106 agreement, on June 11. Detached four bed dwelling Similarly, an outline plan for a detached four-bed dwelling at Kamdoh in Raglan has been approved, also subject to a Section 106 agreement, on June 11. Specsavers signage Other approvals include a timber fascia and projecting sign for Specsavers in Abergavenny, on June 11. Demolition and construction of a garage The demolition and construction of a garage at Mount Pleasant House in Magor was approved on June 5. Signage However, one application for a fascia sign and window lettering at 7 High Street in Chepstow was withdrawn on June 5. All these projects were determined in early June 2025. Each will bring about changes in their respective locations, contributing to the continuous development of the county.
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Washington farmers weather the heat with optimism: 'June rain makes grain'
Jun. 15—LIND, Wash. — Despite a recent heat wave, some farmers are anticipating a promising harvest this year. "It's still a little too early to tell, but currently, the conditions are looking quite promising," said Casey Chumrau, CEO of the Washington Grain Commission. Farmers and experts gathered Thursday for the 107th annual Lind Field Day, where many expressed optimism with harvest just three weeks away. David Nissen, a fifth-generation farmer from Lind who grows winter wheat, said yields are looking about 65% above average. "It could have been a lot better before this heat wave, but, you know, it just teaches us how to react to it," Nissen said. "But the nice thing is, the forecast is only through harvest time around 75- to 85-degree temperatures, so I think it'll be OK." Still, with years of experience, Nissen remains cautious, knowing that weather and conditions can shift quickly. He's already thinking ahead to next year — and the year after that. "My dad always taught me that you look at farming, not as a one-year, but you look at a 10-year project, and you're going to have one bad year and you're going to have one really good year," Nissen said. "Every year is a learning year." Chumrau added that although she's optimistic, they're hoping for rain this month. If that doesn't come, she hopes the heat will ease up before harvest begins. "June rain makes grain," Chumrau said. "That's kind of where we can make a really good crop." Republican Sen. Mark Schoesler, of nearby Ritzville, said, so far, he's heard a mix of responses from farmers and growers across Eastern Washington, some concerned for their crop production. Schoesler expressed farmers are experiencing "erratic ring problems" — unusual circular patterns in their crops — caused by the changing weather conditions. "I've got a friend in Asotin County that thinks he may see half a crop. And around here, we're thinking better than average," Schoesler said. He's also heard of farmers in Douglas County who encountered mold after their crops spent too much time wet from the snow. Chumrau said the earliest harvests will likely start the first week of July. By Aug. 1, most growers will be cutting winter wheat, followed shortly by spring wheat, she added. "We are 90% export of our wheat, so growing and maintaining those markets is very important. Especially in a time right now where prices are low, we need to make sure that we are able to sell larger quantities," Chumrau said. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington's winter wheat production in 2024 was 123 million bushels — up 30% from 2023. Yield was estimated at 70 bushels per acre, an increase of 16 bushels per acre from 2023.
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Titan submarine boss denounced as 'psychopath' risking lives for fame
Former employees of the firm behind the Titanic submarine disaster, OceanGate, have come forward with shock accusations about the boss behind the concept, labelling him a 'psychopath' The chief executive behind the Titan submarine that imploded during a deep sea tour has been branded a "psychopath" by his former employees following a bombshell new documentary. Stockton Rush, 61, died during the OceanGate disaster in June 2023. The tour company was known for sending thrill-seekers 3,800m down to see the Titanic shipwreck - a two hour trip in the murky waters, which former staff deemed as unsafe. Just 90 minutes into the journey, five people were tragically killed as the submarine imploded under water. British adventurer Hamish Harding and father and son Shahzada and Suleman Dawood were named as the victims onboard. French national Paul-Henri Nargeolet also died. The deep-sea vessel was on an expedition to the Titanic wreckage around 435 miles south of St John's, Newfoundland, when it lost contact with the tour operator an hour and 45 minutes into the two-hour descent, with the vessel reported missing eight hours after communication was lost. After days of searching, wreckage from the submersible was recovered from the ocean floor near the Titanic. Now, a new Netflix documentary has revealed the timeline of events leading up to the disaster and explained that staff were concerned about the idea. The chief pilot of OceanGate, David Lochridge, was fired when his inspection report highlighed several safety risks. He previously said that Rush "wanted fame" to "fuel his ego". And that wasn't the only negative feedback about the boss. According to former engineering director, Tony Nissen, Rush was a "borderline psychopath". Nissen was the lead engineer on the Titan sub and had previously explained that he had felt pressure to get it operating. Nissen had refused to step foot on the submarine a few years ago. 'I'm not getting in it,' he told Rush at the time. OceanGate suspended all tours and operations following the incident. This comes after a BBC documentary revealed the chilling moment when the Titan submersible imploded on its descent. It is caught on a camera from support ship the Polar Prince, which was being manned by Wendy Rush, the wife of Rush. The new footage, from June 2023, was obtained by the US Coast Guard for its ongoing investigation into the disaster and shows Wendy hearing the sound of the implosion and wondering what it was. Initially she asks with a nervous smile: "What was that bang?" A moment later she receives a text message informing her that the Titan has 'dropped two weights' which leads her to believe that all is well and the dive is proceeding as expected. But the text had taken a few moments to arrive, and had actually been sent before the implosion, which killed all five passengers instantly.
