Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Hundreds allowed to return home near Kamloops as evacuation order eases

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Jul, 2023 01:13 PM
  • Hundreds allowed to return home near Kamloops as evacuation order eases

An evacuation order covering hundreds of properties south of Kamloops, B.C., has been scaled back to an alert as crews make good progress containing a wildfire about 10 kilometres south of the city. 

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District is allowing residents of 327 properties to return home, although they must be ready to leave again on short notice.

The 26-square-kilometre Ross Moore Lake wildfire was sparked by lightning one week ago and forced the evacuation of properties from Lac Le Jeune to near the outskirts of Kamloops.

The regional district says 18 properties remain on evacuation order but the City of Kamloops has ended its evacuation alert for the Knutsford neighbourhood, southeast of the city, as the BC Wildfire Service reports mop up is underway on the flank of the fire nearest those homes.

The blaze is still listed as out of control, but guards are being built and an additional 40 firefighters were expected through the day to focus on areas needing mop up and patrol.

The wildfire service says about 380 fires are burning across B.C., including 22 rated as highly visible or threatening "fires of note," but officials say just three new blazes were sparked in the last 24 hours.

Recent rain and cooler weather has pushed the wildfire danger rating down over large parts of B.C., but forecasters say another hot spell is due next week and warn the rain has not significantly improved the extreme drought conditions gripping the province.

Concern about the incoming hot and dry weather prompted Metro Vancouver to announce Stage 2 watering restrictions, beginning next Friday.

George Harvie, chair of the organization that acts for roughly two dozen local governments and First Nations on the inner south coast, said use of treated drinking water remains higher than average among Metro Vancouver's residents.

"We are taking this proactive step to ensure that our region’s 2.8 million residents will have enough drinking water for essential uses for the rest of the dry season,” Harvie said in a statement.

Stage 2 restrictions prohibit all lawn watering.

Since the beginning of May, water consumption across the region has been about 20 per cent higher than last year, Metro Vancouver said, with residents using more water every single day compared with 2022.

Under Stage 2, lawn watering and sidewalk or driveway cleaning is not allowed and water features such as fountains can't be filled or topped up.

But vegetable gardens can be watered at any time and trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered by hand or using soaker hoses or drip irrigation at any time, or by using a sprinkler between 5 and 9 a.m. on any day, the district said.

Stage 1 watering restrictions began in May across Metro Vancouver and in much of B.C., limiting days and hours that lawns can be watered.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Mental health minister puts $156M toward launch of 988 crisis hotline in November

Mental health minister puts $156M toward launch of 988 crisis hotline in November
The government is putting $156 million over three years toward a new three-digit suicide-prevention hotline, Mental Health Minister Carolyn Bennett announced Monday. Starting on Nov. 30, people in crisis will be able to dial 988 anywhere in Canada to be connected with trained responders 24 hours a day by phone or text message.

Mental health minister puts $156M toward launch of 988 crisis hotline in November

B.C. government announces new programs, police standards for sexual assault

B.C. government announces new programs, police standards for sexual assault
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says survivors deserve to be treated fairly after going through trauma and shielded from further harm, and the new standards and programs will "empower" those people.  The province says the funding for the new programs kicks in this month, while new policing standards coupling investigators with victims services workers will begin next year, applying to all B.C. police officers. 

B.C. government announces new programs, police standards for sexual assault

RCMP say body found of one of four people missing in Nova Scotia floods

RCMP say body found of one of four people missing in Nova Scotia floods
RCMP in Nova Scotia say they have found the body of one of the people who went missing over the weekend during massive flooding across the province. Police say they recovered the body of a 52-year-old man.

RCMP say body found of one of four people missing in Nova Scotia floods

Canada hailed for focusing foreign aid on women's rights amid global backslide

Canada hailed for focusing foreign aid on women's rights amid global backslide
Ottawa announced projects to support people working in the caring economy at a major foreign-aid conference focused on women's advancement. International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan also offered details at the Women Deliver conference in Rwanda about how $200 million in previously announced funding would be allocated.

Canada hailed for focusing foreign aid on women's rights amid global backslide

Showers for much of B.C., but evacuation orders, alerts grow in drought-ridden south

Showers for much of B.C., but evacuation orders, alerts grow in drought-ridden south
For the first time in more than a month, showers and cooler weather are reaching parched sections of British Columbia, potentially bringing some respite for crews battling hundreds of wildfires. Environment Canada says about 20 millimetres of rain should dampen Vancouver Island and Metro Vancouver.

Showers for much of B.C., but evacuation orders, alerts grow in drought-ridden south

Mayhem in the City:The Plight of Public Safety Amidst the Aftermath of the Hardeep Singh Nijjar Shooting

Mayhem in the City:The Plight of Public Safety Amidst the Aftermath of the Hardeep Singh Nijjar Shooting
Recent incidents, including the tragic shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar that unfolded in our city, have brought this issue to the forefront, sparking discussions and calls for action. As we grapple with the aftermath of such events, it is essential to delve deeper into the multifaceted nature of public safety. 

Mayhem in the City:The Plight of Public Safety Amidst the Aftermath of the Hardeep Singh Nijjar Shooting