Top Stories – Sept 1 – Fire Grows

The McDougall Creek wildfire was last estimated at 13,712 hectares. The growth of the fire is a result of planned ignition operations and growth in the Powers Creek Drainage. Increased fire behaviour in that area is expected to continue due to sustained winds. Structure protection personnel completed a defense plan for Glenrosa and three heavy equipment task force teams continue to work in the area. Meantime the Province extended the state of emergency until September 14th.
At the north end of the McDougall Creek fire, crews have focused on extinguishing hot spots adjacent to properties along Westside Road, while the Wilson’s Landing Fire Department has a bush truck out in the area patrolling neighbourhoods to monitor and extinguish hot spots. In total, there are just under 500 properties under evacuation order and about 20,000 on alert for the fire. Bus visits continue to damaged properties over the coming days and owners are being contacted directly.

A Resiliency Centre for wildfire evacuees and those experiencing loss from the McDougall Creek Wildfire has opened on the west side. It will allow people impacted by fires in the area to connect with the services they need in a safe and supportive environment. It and the ESS Reception Centre are now in the same strip mall area near Arby’s on Louie Drive.

Canada Post is offering free Mail Forwarding service for customers affected by wildfires in BC for 12 months. Eligible residents that have relocated in a community centre, shelter, hotel or motel, for example, will receive instructions on their mail forwarding options in the coming days. Register at canadapost.ca/mailforwarding.

It’s the final long weekend of the summer and if you’re hitting the road it’s always a good idea to plan for extra time to reach destinations. Pack plenty of water, food and supplies for passengers and pets. Labour Day is one of the busiest travel weekends on provincial highways and drivers are reminded there is still work happening on the Coquihalla and in the Fraser Canyon.

Due to the impact of the wildfires, Kelowna Council voted to extend the deadline for the recreation and activity centre Alternative Approval Process. It’s to authorize funding to build and enhance community, sport and wellness facilities across Kelowna. The deadline is now Friday, October 13.

Premier David Eby is calling on the Bank of Canada to halt further interest rate hikes. In a letter to BoC governor Tiff Macklem, Eby urges him to consider the full human impact of rate hikes and not increase them at this time. The Central Bank is set to make an interest rate decision this month.

The Transportation Ministry is making alternatives available for private vehicles to travel between Kelowna and Penticton with Highway 97 still closed. They are on graded gravel roads. On the west side of the lake, it’s the Trout Main to Peachland Forest Service Road, which will add 90 minutes. On the east side, it’s the 201 Forest Service Road which can be accessed off Hwy 33 by McCulloch and will add 60-90 minutes. Commercial vehicles are not allowed on either route.

Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson have started a fund and committed $10 million to make direct payments to people on Maui who are unable to return home because of the wildfires. The People’s Fund of Maui will give $1,200 a month to adults. Winfrey lives on Maui part-time, and visited an emergency shelter in the days after the wildfire and worried about effectively getting resources to people.

SPORTS

BC Lions begin the CFL Labour Day weekend schedule tomorrow. They are in Montreal to take on the Alouettes at 4:00.

The Toronto Argos made quarterback Chad Kelly highest-paid player in the CFL with a three-year contract worth $1.86 million.

The Blue Jays start a road trip today at Coors Field in Denver. It’s the first of three games against the Colorado Rockies.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen will be going for a Formula 1-record 10th straight win this weekend. The drivers have made the trip to Italy for a race at Monza.