Latest news with #Similkameen
Global News
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Evacuation order rescinded, alerts remain due to wildfire near Princeton
The evacuation order has been rescinded and only an evacuation alert remains in place in connection with the August Lake wildfire burning near Princeton. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre said everyone under evacuation order could return home as of 11:30 a.m. on Monday, but must be ready to leave again at a moment's notice. There are now two evacuation alerts, totalling 84 properties, in place due to this fire. It is still mapped at 14 hectares and considered to be burning out of control. 'BC Wildfire is still working in and around that area, so just be mindful of crews on roadways, there will still be helicopters and airplanes in and around the area,' Sean Vaisler with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen said. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Seventy-one active wildfires are burning in B.C., with five started in the last 24 hours. Story continues below advertisement The Placer Creek fire, located east of Manning Park, is currently burning 2,600 hectares. It was discovered on Saturday but has not forced any evacuation orders or alerts. The BC Wildfire Service said that while temperatures are cooler on Monday, warmer weather is set to return by Tuesday. Winds are also expected to pick up, meaning an increased risk of fire growth. Thunderstorms are also expected in the southern province, which could cause new fires to start. In Northern B.C., temperatures are continuing to climb with lower humidity expected for this week, the wildfire service said in an update. Some patchy winds are forecasted across the north, but winds should ease by the middle of this week. 1:52 Out-of-control August Lake wildfire burning outside of Princeton, B.C. Some areas of the province will see smokier conditions as a result of ongoing wildfires with heavy amounts concentrated in the Fort Nelson area, the BC Wildfire Service said. Story continues below advertisement Southern B.C. will also see a smoky haze because of the Similkameen fires and shifting winds.
Vancouver Sun
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Vancouver Sun
Evacuation order rescinded for wildfire near Princeton
Residents of nearly 30 properties near Princeton who were forced to evacuate Sunday due to a nearby wildfire are allowed to return home. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen downgraded its evacuation order near August Lake and the Princeton Golf Club to an alert on Monday. It says that means residents should remain prepared to leave if the situation worsens. The August Lake wildfire is listed as 14 hectares in size and burning out of control by the B.C. Wildfire Service. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. That update comes after the service warned the Coastal Fire Centre is expected to get its first 'outflow pattern' of the season, which could drive more significant fire behaviour. It says the pattern occurs when air flows out from the mountains toward the water, and will develop Monday and continue Tuesday in the region. The service says in a post on its website that winds are expected to moderate, although warm and dry conditions will persist early this week before a return to a typical southwesterly flow on Wednesday. It says the fire centre wants to warn the public about the potential for aggressive fire behaviour and asks anyone who sees a blaze to report it, as early detection is crucial to firefighting efforts. Cliff Chapman, director of wildfire operations for the service, told a news conference Monday that winds generally come off the ocean and push to the east. But, he said, an outflow pattern switches that direction and pulls wind towards the ocean, which can be problematic from a fire behavior perspective. 'Given the conditions that we've seen so far in the Coastal Fire Center, we don't anticipate that to be dire, just because we have seen some (precipitation) in the system over the course of the last six to eight weeks,' he said. Chapman said there are still lots of challenges but the the service is not seeing the potential for extreme fire behaviour. 'Saying that, as we saw this weekend with the fires in the Kamloops Fire Center, there are pockets where we can see that sort of high to extreme fire behavior occur,' he said, adding that resources are spread across the province so crews can attack any new fires quickly. The service is reporting about 70 active fires burning across the province, 10 of which are in the Coastal Fire Centre. It says some areas of the province will see smokier conditions this week as a result of ongoing fires, with heavy amount concentrated in the Fort Nelson area. 'B.C. will also see a smoky haze because of the Similkameen fires and shifting winds,' the service's dashboard says. It encourages people to take precautions in areas of high smoke concentrations, including remaining inside or wearing a ventilator mask while outdoors.
CTV News
11-07-2025
- CTV News
Hand-carved goat statue stolen from First Nations hall in B.C., police investigating
Police have released a still from security video that shows the theft of a culturally-significant statue in Hedley. (Courtesy: RCMP) An Indigenous community in the Similkameen region of B.C. is mourning the loss of a hand-carved statue after it was stolen from a community hall in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Princeton RCMP said officers are investigating the theft of a wooden mountain goat statue belonging to the Upper Similkameen Indian Band. It was stolen around 2 a.m. from the Chuchuwayha Community Hall in Hedley, police said. 'This carving carries great cultural and sentimental importance for the Upper Similkameen community,' said Cpl. Scott McDiarmid, in a statement. Goat statue stolen in B.C. Police are investigating the theft of a wooden goat statue belonging to the Upper Similkameen Indian Band. (Courtesy: RCMP) Security video obtained by police shows two suspects arriving to the hall in an older model Ford F-150 pickup truck, towing a wooden cargo trailer. Police describe the truck as being dark blue or black, perhaps a 2009-2014 model, and with the 'XTR' trim package and chrome wheels. 'We're asking anyone who saw anything suspicious in Hedley during the early morning hours of July 8, or, who recognizes the vehicle and/or suspect, to contact us,' said McDiarmid. Anyone who believes they have information regarding the incident is asked to contact police at 250-295-6911.
