Top Stories – July 19 – Wildfire Prep Time

Lightning strikes have started a number of wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre in the last few days. The largest fire burning, of undetermined origin is the one near Lytton which forced dozens of evacuations and burned at least half a dozen homes. It’s a reminder that we can have interface fires around here such as Mount Law in West Kelowna last summer. To get a plan in place, go to cordemergency.com and from the drop-down menu, select Be Prepared.

A heat wave broiling Europe spilled northward to Britain and has fueled ferocious wildfires in Spain and France. The hot weather in the U.K. was expected to be so severe this week that train operators warned it could warp the rails and some schools set up wading pools to help kids cool off. Officials have issued the first-ever extreme heat warning, and the weather service forecast that the record high of 38.7 set in 2019, could be shattered.

He faces about 16 charges related to the so-called Freedom convoy that gridlocked Ottawa earlier this year, but he has been granted bail. Pat King has been charged with multiple counts of mischief, intimidation, obstructing police, disobeying a court order, perjury and obstruction of justice.

Kelowna General Hospital is getting 2 new operating rooms. The Interior Heart and Surgical Centre at KGH has existing space available to add two more ORs, increasing the number from 14 to 16. They are expected to be open in spring 2023 and will allow for approximately 2,500 more surgeries a year at KGH.

A few photo ops but that was about it for the Prime Minister’s visit to the Okanagan yesterday. Nothing official was released from Justin Trudeau’s office about any big announcements or news conferences. The PM spent time with kids at BCG Okanagan, took a tour of the BC Tree Fruits facility and visited a cherry farm in Summerland.

Alberta Health Services is rescinding its COVID-19 immunization policy for its workers. The agency says workers, as well as new hires and students, will no longer be required to have at least two vaccine doses. Employees continue to be required to stay home when sick, wear required personal protective equipment and practise hand hygiene.

A warming and drying trend is forecast for most of the province, which is not good news for those fighting the Nohomin Creek wildfire near Lytton. With less cloud cover, sunny weather and higher temps throughout the day, humidity will be lower than over the weekend and fuels will continue to dry out. The fire was mapped yesterday at approximately 2,000 hectares with more than 100 ground crew and at least 10 aircraft working it.

Some Canadians can’t wait to get covid 19 booster shots while others would rather hold back. According to the Angus Reid Group, 57 percent of those who have had one or two shots said they will not be going for a third or fourth. However, 93 percent of people who’ve had four shots and 67 percent who’ve had three said they will roll up their sleeves for another booster whenever they’re eligible.

European leaders ramped up their push to secure alternative energy supplies as concerns grow of a complete natural gas cutoff by Russia. The leaders of Italy, France and the European Union are looking to seal deals with their counterparts in Algeria, Azerbaijan and the United Arab Emirates. The EU is bracing for the possibility of a cutoff that powers industry, generates electricity and heats homes in winter.

Sports

The Major League Baseball all star game goes later today at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for the National League in front of the hometown crowd, while Tampa Bay Rays lefty Shane McClanahan will oppose the three-time Cy Young winner for the American League.

The Kelowna Rockets and the Kelowna Minor Hockey Association will be running PEP (Power Edge Pro) camps throughout the summer. They are a maximum of 20 skaters and instructors as well a special guest Rocket player and are primarily individual drills, which allows for a wider age range of participation. Info at kelownarockets.com/pepcamps .

The Toronto Raptors were not willing to give up the reigning rookie of the year in the NBA to get superstar Kevin Durant from Brooklyn. The Nets had demanded Scottie Barnes be a part of any deal, but it looks like Durant will be staying put after asking for a trade.

Analyst David Feherty is set to join LIV Golf after parting ways with NBC. He’s expected to be on 8 to 10 broadcasts for the rival golf series each year. Feherty was a part of NBC’s coverage of the Open Championship this past weekend.

Khari Jones wasn’t out of work for long. The recently fired Ottawa Redblacks head coach has been hired by Hamilton as a football operations consultant. The 51-year-old has been a coach in the CFL for 14 years after playing for 9.

Pierre-Luc Dubois has his eyes set on suiting up for his boyhood team one day. His agent says that Dubois would like to play for the Montreal Canadiens. The 24-year-old center reportedly told the Winnipeg Jets that he plans to test unrestricted free agency when he’s eligible in 2024.