Vancouver Rundown

Heat warnings continue for parts of Vancouver Island and southern B.C. with temperatures expected to be in the high 30s in many areas. Sea-to-Sky, eastern and inland parts of Vancouver Island, and the Similkameen and South Okanagan are under warnings - cooling is not expected until late Tuesday. The Lower Mainland is not under any such warnings but eastern parts of the Fraser Valley may hit the low 30s.

BC Conservative Leader John Rustad says his party’s troubled fundraising campaign has been impacted by the last federal election. Rustad tells the Vancouver Sun a lot of people are just tapped out. The Conservatives only managed to raise $350,000 from April to the end of June. That’s half of what the NDP raised during that time period. The Conservatives are currently involved in a leadership review.

Some people forced from their properties due to the Wesley Ridge wildfire on Vancouver Island are now allowed back home. The partial downgrade of the evacuation order comes as crews make progress fighting the fire, which is about 540 hectares and burning 50 kilometres northwest of Nanaimo. Meanwhile, BC Wildfire crews will be surveying areas around the B.C. Interior Thursday after a new round of thunderstorms hit the Okanagan, Cariboo and Thompson-Nicola Wednesday.

Those attending one of B.C.’s most notable music festivals continue to be targeted by RCMP. Numbers released by the Mounties show 800 violation tickets were handed out to drivers during multiple road checks along the mountain passes leading to the Shambhala festival near Salmo in the West Kootenay. Another 83 people got drug-impairment charges. Almost half the tickets were for speeding but nine were for excessive speed, 11 for no insurance and 11 for unsafe vehicles. This is not the first year festival goers received tickets - last year, hundreds more were caught.

Hundreds of people have now been forced to evacuate as the Wesley Ridge wildfire on Vancouver Island continues to grow. It’s now well-over 500 hectares, out-of-control, and continuing to expand. Heavy equipment, planes and helicopters, specialists and more than 160 crew have been brought in. The area includes Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park and spots next to Highway 4. Drivers are being warned to prepare for sudden changes between Parksville and Port Alberni.Meanwhile, smoke from the Wesley Ridge fire is starting to impact the air quality on Vancouver Island. Air Quality advisories have been posted for Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicum Beach and Nanoose Bay. Those in the B.C. Interior are also dealing with bad air from a host of fires. Air Quality bulletins are up for the Fraser Canyon, Okanagan, Cariboo and South Thompson.

Crews continue to contend with a growing number of wildfires around B.C. An out-of-control Vancouver Island fire has prompted an evacuation order for some properties on the north side of Cameron Lake. Highway 4 remains open between Nanaimo and Port Alberni. Meanwhile, the Bear Creek wildfire next to Harrison Lake has grown to nearly 100 hectares. Some forestry roads in the area are closed to campers. Tourists are still able to visit Harrison Hotsprings. And several new lightning-sparked wildfires are burning in Washington state, just south of the Canadian Okanagan. Smoke is visible from Osoyoos. Some parts of the southern B.C. Interior have had lightning strikes late Thursday and early Friday morning.

Hot, dry weather seems to be a turning point as B.C.’s wildfire season ramps up. The wildfire south of Lytton has more than tripled in size to about 500 hectares. Three helicopters and 45 ground crew are working to contain the blaze which is about 10 kilometres south of the village. Evacuation alerts are in place for a few properties. Crews remain concerned about ash that has been falling in parts of Lytton.Meanwhile, some campers have been told to leave as the Bear Creek wildfire near Harrison becomes a fire of note. It grew to at least 64 hectares early Wednesday. Travelers are being told to stay clear of the part of Harrison Lake where fire crews are working.And, a wildfire near Peachland has shut down the highways at the junction of the Okanagan Connector and Highway 97. The fire is at least 12 hectares and burning out-of-control. It’s believed to be human caused.

Hot, dry weather seems to be a turning point as B.C.’s wildfire season ramps up. The wildfire south of Lytton has more than tripled in size to about 500 hectares. Three helicopters and 45 ground crew are working to contain the blaze which is about 10 kilometres south of the village. Evacuation alerts are in place for a few properties. Crews remain concerned about ash that has been falling in parts of Lytton.Meanwhile, some campers have been told to leave as the Bear Creek wildfire near Harrison becomes a fire of note. It grew to at least 64 hectares early Wednesday. Travelers are being told to stay clear of the part of Harrison Lake where fire crews are working.And, a wildfire near Peachland has shut down the highways at the junction of the Okanagan Connector and Highway 97. The fire is at least 12 hectares and burning out-of-control. It’s believed to be human caused.

Wildfire crews are on edge, concerned ash from a nearby fire could rain down on Lytton. A 200 hectare wildfire is burning south of Lytton as the village deals with dry conditions and temperatures nearing 40C. Evacuation alerts remain in place for properties on the west side of the Fraser River, across from Lytton. More than 60 wildfires are currently burning in B.C.

Heat warnings are posted for many B.C. areas outside of the south coast as temperatures are expected to soar above 30C for most of this week. Warnings are up for the Fraser Canyon, Cariboo, Okanagan Valley and West Kootenay. Some are bracing for temperatures as high as 37C. The Interior Health authority is advising the very old, very young, pregnant and homeless to be extra careful.

Three women have been arrested following a weekend stabbing at North Vancouver’s Lonsdale Quay. RCMP say the three were involved in a fight near the bus loop early Saturday morning. Two of the women in their 20s, along with another woman, suffered injuries ranging from minor to serious. Police say they all knew each other and there is no risk to the public.

The three miners trapped underground in northern B.C. are reported to have access to the natural flow of air according to the company. Drones have been assisting in rescue efforts at the Red Chris gold and copper mine near Dease Lake. The miners, employed by Hy-Tech Drilling, are in a refuge area that has enough food and water to supply 16 people for two days. Cave-ins trapped the miners on Tuesday.

Business leaders and politicians from Washington state are asking British Columbians to not forget about their friends south of the border. Senator Patty Murray says Canada isn’t just a trading partner, it’s an ally and neighbour. Murray says her state imports close to $18B worth of Canadian goods each year. Donald Trump is promising to impose a 35 per cent tariff on many Canadian goods starting August 1.

Business leaders and politicians from Washington state are asking British Columbians to not forget about their friends south of the border. Senator Patty Murray says Canada isn’t just a trading partner, it’s an ally and neighbour. Murray says her state imports close to $18B worth of Canadian goods each year. Donald Trump is promising to impose a 35 per cent tariff on many Canadian goods starting August 1.

Those going to bars, nightclubs and restaurants in downtown Vancouver will soon be able to drink until 4:00 a.m. City Council has unanimously voted to extend the hours for establishments in the downtown core that decide to opt-in. This means most bars will remain open after SkyTrain shuts down and all but a few buses end service. Vancouver Coast Health is opposed to the move noting alcohol consumption is linked to many health and safety risks.

Breaking news: The BC Wildfire Service has been notified of at least one new fire following a Monday evening thunderstorm in parts of the Lower Mainland. A blaze on Nicomen Mountain, east of Mission, was reported just after 10:00 p.m. Dozens of lightning strikes were recorded from Chilliwack through to Coquitlam.

Crews continue to fight a wildfire north of Harrison Hot Springs, on the east side of the lake. The fire broke out late Saturday - more than two dozen crew are now fighting the blaze. Two helicopters have been dropping water. The fire is believed to be human caused.Meanwhile, wildfire crews have gained the upper hand on a small fire burning in the Fraser Canyon between Hope and Boston Bar. The Alexandra Bridge Park wildfire started late Friday and could be seen from Highway One, north of Spuzzum. No alerts or evacuations have been necessary.

David Eby’s NDP government has finally backed down and will reinstate funding to cover an extremely expensive drug for a little girl who is dying of a rare disease. Ten-year-old Charleigh Pollock’s Brineura infusions cost close to $33,000 a dose - and the province will reverse its decision to end coverage following outrage from politicians, medical professionals and the general public. The Langford girl suffers from Batten disease - a very rare condition that is likely fatal.

A former commercial pilot has been charged with terrorism offences in the hijacking of a single-engine plane from Victoria. Shaheer Cassim, a long-time environmental activist, is the man arrested by police after a plane from the Victoria Flying Club touched down at YVR. Air traffic around Vancouver International was halted for a short time Tuesday afternoon as the Cessna 172 Skyhawk circled the airport. Cassim was arrested at gunpoint.

A security incident at YVR has been prompted by the theft of a single engine plane on Vancouver Island. Some flights had to be grounded and airspace had to be shutdown Tuesday afternoon after a Cessna 172S Skyhawk was taken from the Victoria Flying Club and flown to Vancouver. The suspect and lone occupant circled YVR for close to 20 minutes before landing the plane. He was promptly arrested. There’s no word on the motive.

Kelly Ellard’s day parole has been revoked. Reena Virk’s killer - who legally changed her name to Kerry Sim - has lost her day parole over positive drug tests and negative behaviour. She’s also been called an undue risk to society by the Parole Board. Ellard is serving a life sentence for second degree murder for her part in the savage 1997 killing of the 14-year-old in Victoria.

Dozens of properties, campsites and a popular golf course are included in a wildfire evacuation east of Princeton. The still-small August Lake wildfire is about 2 kilometres from the town and burning out of control. The fire, which broke out Saturday afternoon, is thought to be human caused. Meanwhile, BC Wildfire crews have been dealing with several other new fires that started over the weekend including ones in Manning Park, Keremeos and the Cowichan Valley.

B.C. now has over a hundred confirmed cases of the measles including 18 in the two health authorities that cover the Lower Mainland. The majority of cases are in those who are not fully vaccinated. Health experts continue to express concerns that summer events and travel will lead to a rapid expansion of measles. The provincial government is advising people to contact their family doctor or call 811 if they suspect they need an updated shot.

The B.C. government should mandate risk assessments for all public events - that is the key recommendation from the inquiry into the Lapu-Lapu Day attack. The Commission of Inquiry into the deadly Filipino street festival also calls for improved training and clearer definitions of udicial roles. The Eby government has stated it accepts the intent of the recommendations but there is no word on any path toward implementation. Eleven people died when the driver of an SUV plowed into pedestrians at the event on April 26.

A man has been shot dead by RCMP at a home in Surrey’s Clayton Heights where a woman’s body was found inside. It happened Monday evening when officers responded to a possible domestic violence call on 66A Avenue, just east of 195 Street. Neighbours say they heard several bangs and then saw victims removed from the home. It’s believed the two were a couple in their 60s. While the Surrey Police Service is the force of jurisdiction, the incident happened in an area where Surrey RCMP respond to most of the calls.

The federal government’s transportation committee is calling out the Eby government and demanding to know why the province has awarded a Chinese Communist Party owned, overseas shipyard the BC Ferries contract thanks to a $1B federal loan. The House of Commons committee has voted to investigate a deal which includes major financing from a federal Crown owned lender. The BC NDP government has been widely criticized for choosing China over any North American shipbuilder for the new ferries.

The Izman Creek wildfire, north of Lytton, is now 245 hectares and expected to grow over the next couple days. Temperatures on Monday and Tuesday will be in the low 30s in that area and then cool down with strong winds on Wednesday. Highway 12 between Lytton and Lillooet remains open even as crews fight the fire from the ground and air. The wildfire started back on Canada Day when sparks from an RCMP trailer ignited brush.

This week’s wildfire north of Lytton was caused by an RCMP vehicle. The Mounties now admit that an equipment failure on a trailer being towed by a police vehicle started the Izman Creek wildfire, 18 km north of Lytton. Three properties in the area have been evacuated while the Lytton First Nation has issued an evacuation alert for others. Meanwhile, BC Wildfire is dealing with several other small fires including one that broke out near Hope Thursday afternoon.

A wildfire north of Lytton has now grown to at least 100 hectares. Several small evacuation alerts remain in place as the Izman Creek wildfire burns out-of-control. The fire is burning on Lytton’s opposite side of the Thompson River, near small farms and reserves. Thunderstorms remain in the forecast for many parts of the B.C. Interior.

A wildfire north of Lytton has now grown to at least 100 hectares. Several small evacuation alerts remain in place as the Izman Creek wildfire burns out-of-control. The fire is burning on Lytton’s opposite side of the Thompson River, near small farms and reserves. Thunderstorms remain in the forecast for many parts of the B.C. Interior.

Businessman and political watcher Alex Tsakumis is doubling down on his allegations Mayor Ken Sim was driving drunk and Vancouver Police knew it. In a response to Sim’s defamation lawsuit Tsakumis says the mayor has a history of intoxication while attending events and social media posts had been made in the public interest. The Statement of Defense is filed on behalf of Tsakumis and former ABC campaign manager Kareem Allam. A police review of the situation had found no basis to the claims.

Even more cases of the measles have been confirmed in B.C. The B.C. Centre for Disease Control now says the province has 63 confirmed cases - up from the 49 reported on Tuesday. Most of the infections are in the Norther Health region. Premier David Eby says this is sadly the predictable outcome of reckless politicians who question vaccine safety.

Richmond Mayor Malcom Brodie is not apologizing for grabbing a news camera on Tuesday. Brodie says the Global News TV camera was up in his face after he had already said no to answering questions about a European trip taken by city employees and those working at the Olympic Oval. The mayor says the incident happened at a family oriented event and the interview was not prearranged. At a Wednesday media availability, Premier David Eby said journalists have a tough job and we have to respect their role in holding politicians to account.

Three unvaccinated people in Chilliwack have confirmed cases of the measles. That confirmation comes from the Fraser Health Authority which is expressing concern that those cases appear to have been acquired locally. Meanwhile, Interior Health says Kamloops has a confirmed case - the first one in that area this year. The BC Centre for Disease Control has posted a list of several locations, including BC Ferries, where people may have been exposed in the past week.

The Abbotsford Canucks are the 2025 Calder Cup champions. Abbotsford defeated the Charlotte Checkers 3-2 in game six of the final. The win for the Vancouver Canucks affiliate marks several firsts. It’s the team’s first AHL cup and the first time a B.C. pro hockey team has won a championship since the Victoria Cougars won the Stanley Cup in 1925.

Vancouver Police are beefing up oversight and patrols around the city following Saturday’s U.S. air strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The VPD says officers will be deployed to popular protest sites and certain places of worship, community centres and diplomatic buildings. In a media statement, the department says while conflicts in the Middle East are thousands of kilometres away, they reverberate in Vancouver’s [sic] diverse community and impact many people’s sense of security.

A hiker has been killed, at least three others are injured, after a rock fall in Banff National Park. It happened early Thursday afternoon near Bow Glacier Falls, north of Lake Louise. Alberta Premier Daniel Smith says she’s deeply saddened to learn of the tragic event. There were up to 20 people in the area when the rock fall happened. There’s no word yet on where the victims are from.

The David Eby government has pulled funding to cover a $1M drug for a nine-year-old girl with a rare, terminal disease. Charleigh Pollock has been taking Brineura to slow the progression of CLN2, also known as Batten disease, but is getting her last treatment this week. The B.C. government says it’s pulling the funding because the disease has hit the point where the Vancouver Island girl meets the discontinuation criteria. Pollock is the only person in the province with the disease. There is no cure.

David Eby is demanding the federal government declare a notorious South Asian gang a ‘terrorist organization.’ The premier says the Lawrence Bishnoi group is responsible for recent extortion attempts targeting South Asian business people in Delta, Surrey, Abbotsford and across the country. Several recent arsons and shootings are linked to the organization.

President Donald Trump has left the G7 Summit in Alberta as top U-S military commanders and advisors gather in the war room to consider next steps in the escalating Israel-Iran attacks. The two countries are exchanging missile fire on populated centres - at least two dozen civilians have been killed in Israel, 224 in Iran. People in both countries have been warned to leave if possible.

One person remains missing after a passenger vehicle went off the road and into the Squamish River early Saturday morning. It happened at around 3:00 a.m. along Squamish Valley Road. Three others managed to make it to safety. Searchers have not been able to find any trace of the missing person.

Israel has hit Iran’s nuclear sites and military commanders in a major strike on Tehran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Operation Rising Lion is needed for ‘Israel’s very survival.’ More attacks are expected in the hours and days ahead. Iranian TV says civilians including children have been killed. The head of the Revolutionary Guard and several top nuclear scientists are also dead. The United States has neither endorsed nor condemned Israel’s move which is seen by many as the official start of war between Israel and Iran.

Alice Lake Provincial Park is being evacuated as a wildfire just north of Squamish continues to grow. The Dryden Creek wildfire near Brackendale has reached 54 hectares prompting crews to clear out the park. Several air tankers have been called in as the fire burns dangerously close to some homes. It’s hoped cooler temperatures will help those trying to contain the fire.

Close to 100 properties in Squamish’s Brackendale neighbourhood are now on evacuation alert as a wildfire continues to grow. It’s believed the Dryden Creek wildfire was caused by human activity - it’s now almost 15 hectares. People living in the area are being told to be ready to leave on short notice. Meanwhile, The massive wildfire in the northeast part of the province continues to expand. The Kiskatinaw River fire, south of Dawson Creek, is now close to 220 square kilometres. A half-dozen buildings and mobile homes have been destroyed near the small community of Kelly Lake. It’s hoped cooler temperatures later this week will help in the firefighting efforts.

Mayor Ken Sim’s former campaign manager intends to run for Mayor of Vancouver in 2026. Longtime political insider and strategist Kareem Allam says he’s received a lot of encouragement to seek the job and plans to file his papers in the weeks ahead. Allam and Sim have been involved in a recent public feud that’s spilled over into the courts. Allam is one of two people named in a defamation suit filed by Sim over public comments suggesting the current mayor had been pulled-over for drunk driving but immediately let go. An independent review found the allegation to be unfounded gossip.

A third day of violent protests has prompted leaders to declare all of Downtown Los Angeles an unlawful assembly. That decision Sunday evening came after Donald Trump called in the National Guard as anti-ICE protesters condemned the latest rounds of crackdowns on illegal immigrants. Trump says up to 2,000 members of the National Guard had been called-up and close to 500 Marines remain on standby. Close to five dozen people have been arrested after protesters used Molotov cocktails, fireworks and rocks in their confrontations with police Sunday night.

Homes are now threatened in northeastern B.C. as wildfires in the Peace River Region continues to grow. Crews fear high winds and possible thunderstorms this weekend will lead to a dangerous situation for those near Kelly Lake who are ignoring evacuation orders. The Regional District says rescuing any trapped residents may not be possible. The Kiskatinaw Lake wildfire is now more than 70 square kilometres and remains B.C.’s only major blaze.Breaking News: A sinkhole has closed the Coquihalla Highway - northbound - between Hope and Merritt. Maintenance contractor YRB Nicola says the sinkhole appeared Thursday and crews will be trying to figure out what to do about it Friday. Drivers are being told to use Highway One or Highway Three instead.

Crews are fighting a small wildfire that broke out late Wednesday afternoon near Okanagan Falls. Several aircraft, along with volunteers firefighters and BC Wildfire ground crews, have been trying to contain it. People are being asked to stay out of the area.

The Carney government has introduced sweeping legislation to crack down on security at the U.S.-Canada border. The government says Bill C-2, also known as the Strong Borders Act, is aimed at protecting sovereignty, strengthening the border and keeping Canadians safe. It cracks down on those seeking asylum while also giving enhanced powers and resources to those who inspect the mail, patrol waterways and land crossings. It comes as the Canadian government tries to placate the Trump Whitehouse which insists fentanyl continues to cross into the U.S. from areas like Vancouver.

Housing, transit and public safety are some of the top priorities to be discussed as Mayor Ken Sim heads to Ottawa this week. The Vancouver mayor and two members of council will be pushing for federal leadership and money to help deal with the problems. One of the big pushes will include advocating for more housing solutions now that the federal minister in charge, Gregor Robertson, is a Vancouver MP. The meetings will take place through Friday.