Top Stories – Aug 25 – Planned Burn

After a few hiccups when it first went live, the new online tool for property damage notification is running at cordemergency.ca/propertyinfo . Heretohelp.bc.ca is a source for assistance dealing with grief. And ess.gov.bc.ca using your BC Services card is fastest way to register for assistance if evacuated. All those addresses are in Top Stories in the news tab on our website. There was a lot of new smoke late yesterday morning into the afternoon from the McDougall Creek fire, we are told that was from a planned burn. BC Wildfire is expecting to see an increase in fire activity over the weekend with lower humidity and increasing temperatures. All City of Kelowna properties that were on evacuation order are now on alert. For info on the impact on Kelowna services, visit kelowna.ca/wildfireimpacts . West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund says there is still firefighting going on in many neighbourhoods so some residents will be staying out of their homes longer than others. There’s also a risk of more fire in certain neighbourhoods. He is one of those evacuated and thanked the public for their outpouring of support, and on a lighter note, added he has enough underwear. Brolund said 32 fire engines have been sent back to their own communities so far, and that is a positive sign. The travel restriction to West Kelowna was lifted at midnight. West Kelowna downgraded the Do Not Consume Water Order to a Boil Water Notice, for the Rose Valley-Lakeview Water Service Area, however the West Kelowna Estates Area remains on a Do Not Consume Order.

The airspace restrictions on Kelowna International Airport have been reduced, allowing some commercial flights during the day. YLW says while this will allow more flights to operate, there are still several restrictions to the airspace that could impact aircraft ability to arrive and depart. As always, check with your airline.

Police say a confrontation involving residents wanting to get into an area under evacuation order in the North Shuswap was resolved safely. RCMP in Chase received reports of a large group of people mustering with food and supplies who were travelling to an evacuation order area Wednesday night. Police say the group later challenged the officers stationed at a road block into the area under evac order before dispersing.

Some volunteer firefighters up Westside Road are the definition of putting community before self. Wilson’s Landing fire chief Paul Zydowicz, says 13 of his members lost homes in the McDougall Creek fire, yet continued to show up for duty, to try and save the homes of other residents. Zydowicz was also involved in fighting the White Rock Lake wildfire two years ago, which he says was not nearly as ferocious.

The Nova Scotia government is launching an ad campaign urging residents to prepare for hurricane season by putting together an emergency kit with food, water, medications and important documents. It will run on radio, and in print and online ads over the next four weeks. This is expected to be a busy Atlantic hurricane season.

One of the biggest events of the year will go ahead as planned next week in Armstrong. Organizers of the Interior Provincial Exhibition say after discussions with the province, RCMP and fire officials, they decided to proceed with their event Aug. 30th to Sept. 3.

SPORTS

CFL in Winnipeg last night, the Blue Bombers extended their lead in the West with a 47-17 win over Montreal. The BC Lions host Hamilton tomorrow at 4:00

The Toronto Blue Jays lost their second straight in Baltimore last night. Tonight they have Cleveland at Rogers Centre.

Heading into round two of the PGA TOUR Championship at Eastlake, last week’s winner Viktor Hovland is tied at 10 under with Keegan Bradley and Collin Morikawa. Canada’s Corey Conners is 8 shots back.

In February, the LA Lakers and Kobe Bryant’s family will unveil a statue celebrating Bryant. It will put him alongside other team greats such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson and Shaquille O’Neal in front of Cypto.com Arena.