Lauren Collins

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Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Mental health supports available for British Columbians impacted by wildfires

Disaster Psychological Support team deployed through B.C.’s Emergency Management program

Wildfire evacuees Warren Pullen, left, and veteran Rob Pullen sit outside their trailer in the parking lot at an evacuation centre, in Kelowna, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
Canada is again sanctioning more Russians accused of supporting the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, with a focus on banks, defence companies and the nuclear sector. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is announcing a dealings ban for four Russians and 29 entities. Joly speaks to reporters, in Charlottetown, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese

Joly heads to 3 eastern European countries as Canada tries for more UN presence

Her trip to Slovenia, North Macedonia, Albania follows a commitment by NATO military alliance members

Canada is again sanctioning more Russians accused of supporting the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, with a focus on banks, defence companies and the nuclear sector. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is announcing a dealings ban for four Russians and 29 entities. Joly speaks to reporters, in Charlottetown, Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese
BC Wildfire Service said the Little Blue River wildfire is located west of Highway 37, approximately 40 kilometres north of Good Hope Lake and 40 kilometres south of the Yukon border. It is 36,501.8 hectares as of Aug. 25, and it was first discovered on July 26. (BC Wildfire Service)

UPDATE: Province issues evacuation order for wildfire near B.C.-Yukon border

DriveBC says Highway 37 single-lane, alternating traffic, but could close at short notice

BC Wildfire Service said the Little Blue River wildfire is located west of Highway 37, approximately 40 kilometres north of Good Hope Lake and 40 kilometres south of the Yukon border. It is 36,501.8 hectares as of Aug. 25, and it was first discovered on July 26. (BC Wildfire Service)
Dr. Melissa Lem, a Vancouver physician and president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, speaks outside Premier David Eby’s Vancouver constituency office Thursday (Aug. 24). The association was calling on the province to put a moratorium on future LNG projects, citing the risks associated with climate change. (Lauren Collins)

Doctors, nurses want B.C. to limit wildfire, climate impacts of LNG industry

Group gathered outside Premier David Eby’s office call for moratorium on future LNG projects

Dr. Melissa Lem, a Vancouver physician and president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, speaks outside Premier David Eby’s Vancouver constituency office Thursday (Aug. 24). The association was calling on the province to put a moratorium on future LNG projects, citing the risks associated with climate change. (Lauren Collins)
BC Wildfire Service wildland firefighters work the Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap. (BCWS image)

B.C. wildfires fuelling conspiracy theories

UBC expert says traumatic events can lead people to conspiracies to try and make sense of what’s happening

BC Wildfire Service wildland firefighters work the Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap. (BCWS image)
An photo of the blockade on Highway 1, from Aug.23. (Facebook)

North Shuswap on edge after alleged incident on Highway 1 amid wildfire

A reported permitted truck was set to bring supplies into the wildfire zone

An photo of the blockade on Highway 1, from Aug.23. (Facebook)
A bear was euthanized in Powell River Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023 after it tried to attack a child at a day camp the day earlier. (Samantha Holomay/Black Press)

Bear killed after it tried to attack 5-year-old: B.C. conservation service

The bear began approaching children at a day camp in Powell River

A bear was euthanized in Powell River Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023 after it tried to attack a child at a day camp the day earlier. (Samantha Holomay/Black Press)
B.C. Conservation Officer Service said in a tweet Monday (Aug. 21) that it handed out seven tickets for illegal campfires in the Kootenay and south coast regions over the weekend, Aug. 18 to 20, 2023. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press Media - File)

$8K in campfire ban fines issued in B.C. over the weekend

B.C. Conservation Officer Service doled out seven tickets in the Kootenay, South Coast regions

B.C. Conservation Officer Service said in a tweet Monday (Aug. 21) that it handed out seven tickets for illegal campfires in the Kootenay and south coast regions over the weekend, Aug. 18 to 20, 2023. (Phil McLachlan - Black Press Media - File)
Premier David Eby, left to right, looks on with B.C. Minister of Emergency Readiness Bowinn Ma, Federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan and incident commander Brad Litke as Wildcat Helicopter pilot Folef Graafland goes over safety instructions before boarding to survey wildfire damage in the area at Wildcat Helicopters in West Kelowna, B.C., on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

‘Increasingly divisive issue’: Ma says B.C. evacuations orders must be followed

Emergency Management Minister says equipment being moved can put the ‘whole unified strategy at risk’

Premier David Eby, left to right, looks on with B.C. Minister of Emergency Readiness Bowinn Ma, Federal Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan and incident commander Brad Litke as Wildcat Helicopter pilot Folef Graafland goes over safety instructions before boarding to survey wildfire damage in the area at Wildcat Helicopters in West Kelowna, B.C., on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The McDougall Creek wildfire, in West Kelowna, is an estimated 12,270 hectares as of Aug. 23, 2023. it was first discovered on Aug. 15. At least 90 properties have been damaged fully or partially by the wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)

Travel restrictions remain for West Kelowna; B.C. urges caution

25,000 people remain on evacuation order and another 37,000 are on alert

The McDougall Creek wildfire, in West Kelowna, is an estimated 12,270 hectares as of Aug. 23, 2023. it was first discovered on Aug. 15. At least 90 properties have been damaged fully or partially by the wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)
High fire intensity and strong winds, among other conditions, led to the “incredibly rare phenomenon” of a fire whirl or fire tornado near Lillooet on Aug. 17. (BC Wildfire Service)

VIDEO: Fire tornado starts in B.C. due to high fire intensity, strong winds

BC Wildfire Service says fire whirls are an ‘incredibly rare phenomenon’

High fire intensity and strong winds, among other conditions, led to the “incredibly rare phenomenon” of a fire whirl or fire tornado near Lillooet on Aug. 17. (BC Wildfire Service)
The out-of-control Stein Mountain wildfire is listed at 1,811 hectares as of Aug. 23, 2023 and was first discovered on July 12. Lytton First Nation issued several evacuation orders Aug. 22. (BC Wildfire Service)

Lytton First Nation evacuation order expanded for Stein Mountain wildfire

2nd order issued; evacuation route is north to Lillooet on the Westside/North Spencer Road

The out-of-control Stein Mountain wildfire is listed at 1,811 hectares as of Aug. 23, 2023 and was first discovered on July 12. Lytton First Nation issued several evacuation orders Aug. 22. (BC Wildfire Service)
All evacuation orders and alerts in place from the McDougall Creek wildfire remain the same entering Wednesday, Aug. 23. (BC Wildfire Services)

UPDATE: Some West Kelowna properties downgraded to wildfire evacuation alert

Entering day nine of the wildfire, it is now at 12,318 hectares

All evacuation orders and alerts in place from the McDougall Creek wildfire remain the same entering Wednesday, Aug. 23. (BC Wildfire Services)
Mats and blankets greet wildfire evacuees at the ESS reception centre at Kal Tire Place in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

B.C. working to provide more emergency accommodation for wildfire evacuees

Emergency Management Minister urges people to stay with friends, family if possible

Mats and blankets greet wildfire evacuees at the ESS reception centre at Kal Tire Place in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home, in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

WILDFIRES: 4,500 on evacuation order as Okanagan becomes B.C.’s ground zero

Several wildfires around burning in the Okanagan, specifically in Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above a lakefront home, in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Emergency Management Minister Harjit Sajjan speaks during press conference in Ottawa on July 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Feds offering ‘full support’ for Okanagan fires: Sajjan

Emergency management minister says more work needs to be done on prevention, adaptation

Emergency Management Minister Harjit Sajjan speaks during press conference in Ottawa on July 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The Kookipi Creek wildfire as seen from Canyon Alpine Motel north of Boston Bar in the Fraser Canyon on the evening of Aug. 17. The fire has prompted evacuation orders for properties in the Fraser Valley and Thompson-Nicola Regional Districts, and an evacuation alert for the Village of Lytton. (Photo credit: Debbie Harper/Facebook)

Kookipi Creek wildfire at 2,000 hectares; evacuation orders and alerts remain for Fraser Canyon

Highway 1 closed from Hope to Lytton; Village of Lytton on evacuation alert

The Kookipi Creek wildfire as seen from Canyon Alpine Motel north of Boston Bar in the Fraser Canyon on the evening of Aug. 17. The fire has prompted evacuation orders for properties in the Fraser Valley and Thompson-Nicola Regional Districts, and an evacuation alert for the Village of Lytton. (Photo credit: Debbie Harper/Facebook)
Missing person Stephanie Patterson was found dead in a rural part of Mission on Aug. 15. David Hall, 57, who was first reported missing with Patterson has now been charged with murder. (Anna Burns)

Man charged in death of Kwikwetlem councillor who was found dead in Mission

David Hall, 57, has been charged with the murder of Stephanie Patterson

Missing person Stephanie Patterson was found dead in a rural part of Mission on Aug. 15. David Hall, 57, who was first reported missing with Patterson has now been charged with murder. (Anna Burns)
Heavy smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky in Yellowknife on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Residents of the capital of the Northwest Territories and two neighbouring First Nation communities have been ordered to evacuate by Friday because of an encroaching wildfire. B.C. is preparing to accept hospital and care home wildfire evacuees from the N.W.T. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski

N.W.T. sending 55 hospital patients, care home residents to B.C.

They are set to arrive through Vancouver International Airport

Heavy smoke from nearby wildfires fills the sky in Yellowknife on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. Residents of the capital of the Northwest Territories and two neighbouring First Nation communities have been ordered to evacuate by Friday because of an encroaching wildfire. B.C. is preparing to accept hospital and care home wildfire evacuees from the N.W.T. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is investigating an incident in MacKenzie when a man died in his home while police were setting up a containment area outside following a threatening incident at a pipeline worksite earlier in the day. (File)

Watchdog probing man’s death after alleged threats at northern B.C. pipeline site

B.C. RCMP say officers were outside the man’s home setting up a containment area

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is investigating an incident in MacKenzie when a man died in his home while police were setting up a containment area outside following a threatening incident at a pipeline worksite earlier in the day. (File)