Category: B.C.

‘Pretty Chaotic’: Tiny BC Community Reconnected After Flooding Wiped out Bridge

NOOAITCH FIRST NATION, BRITISH COLUMBIA—The same rainfall that forced the evacuation of 7,000 residents in Merritt, B.C., also stranded a small First Nation village just 20 kilometres away, but an all-out effort quickly reconnected the community. What was once the smallSpius Creek turned into a raging torrent earlier this week as record-setting rain washed away…


22 Injured in Blast at CFB Comox, BC, All but One Released From Hospital: Defence

COMOX, B.C.—The Department of National Defence says 22 people were treated for injuries in an explosion Thursday at a Canadian Forces base on Vancouver Island. One person remains in hospital, while all others, including 16 military members and six civilians, were treated and released after the blast at 19 Wing Comox. The department says federal,…


Water Main Break Preventing Abbotsford Farmers From Accessing Water for Animals

ABBOTSFORD, B.C.—The mayor of a city heavily impacted by flooding in southern British Columbia says farmers who stayed with their animals desperately need water for livestock. Henry Braun said Thursday that water levels in Abbotsford continue to fluctuate in the Sumas Prairie area two days after an evacuation order was issued. He said a broken…


First Members of Military Contingent Arrive in BC to Assist With Flood Recovery

VANCOUVER—A handful of Armed Forces members have arrived in British Columbia, the first of what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said could be several hundred troops as the federal government moves to help the province recover from devastating floods. The Canadian Joint Operations Command says nine members of the Edmonton-based 3 Canadian Division Immediate Response…


Flooding, Mudslides Prompt BC Government to Impose State of Emergency

VANCOUVER—British Columbia has declared a state of emergency following unprecedented flooding that has displaced residents, severed access to multiple highways and killed livestock. B.C. Premier John Horgan declared the state of emergency, saying it will help preserve basic access to services and supplies for communities across the province. He says the government will bring in…


TSB to Release Report Into Possible Link Between Rail and Wildfire in Lytton, B.C.

RICHMOND, B.C.—The Transportation Safety Board was scheduled to release the results of its investigation today into the “possible relation” between train activities and a wildfire this summer in Lytton, B.C. The fire raced through the town on June 30, killing two people and leaving few buildings undamaged, after a heat wave pushed the temperature up…


Seismologist Says Computer Glitch Led to False Reports About Earthquake in B.C.

KITIMAT, B.C.—A government seismologist says a magnitude 6.5 earthquake reported in British Columbia on Monday never happened. Alison Bird of Natural Resources Canada says a computer glitch led to the erroneous report from the United States Geological Survey. She says there was no earthquake 165 kilometres southeast of Kitimat on Monday afternoon. Bird says the…


Lawsuit Claims CN, CP Railways at Fault for Sparking Fire That Wiped out B.C. Town

VANCOUVER—A proposed class-action lawsuit alleges Canadian Pacific and Canadian National railways caused or contributed to the wildfire that destroyed the Village of Lytton, B.C. The B.C. Supreme Court statement of claim filed Wednesday alleges the fire was set off by heat or sparks emanating from a CP freight train operated by CN employees on tracks…


Wildfire in Lytton, B.C. a ‘Wake up Call’ to Take Precautions: Safety Board

A wildfire in Lytton, B.C., during historically high temperatures points to a serious need to prevent similar occurrences, says the chairwoman of the Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the possibility that a freight train could have been linked to the disaster. Kathy Fox said an update on the investigation will be provided in the…


Four Dead, One Missing After Collapse of Crane in Kelowna, B.C.

KELOWNA, B.C.—The Mounties say four people were killed and a fifth person is missing after a crane collapsed in Kelowna, B.C. Insp. Adam MacIntosh says four people at the site, all construction workers, were killed when the crane toppled off the 25-storey building on Monday. He says a fifth man who was working in an…