Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbia’s provincial health officer (PHO), has issued the following statement: “As British Columbia’s provincial health officer, I am issuing an order to end the public-health emergency for COVID-19 and rescinding all related orders. “Since March 2020, we have been in a provincial public-health emergency to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. While […]

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) recently updated its information on the many wildfires burning in the region. The RDCK EOC, which remains in constant communication with BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) to monitor the fires, said there are currently 111 wildfires in the Southeast Fire Centre, with three (3) wildfires […]

The wildfire situation in the Slocan Valley has gone from bad to worse as a cold front moving through the region brought high winds, fanning the flames and causing significant wildfire growth, a Southeast Fire Centre official stated Thursday night. In an online media availability session — hosted by the Regional District of Central Kootenay […]

Firefighters in the City of Nelson responded to numerous suspicious fire reports that rocked the city Wednesday evening, including a brush fire at Gyro Park that needed assistance from a near-by bucketing helicopter to extinguish Nelson Fire and Rescue Services said in a media release. The rush of calls started at 6:20 p.m. when several […]

The increase in the danger of fires in the North Kootenay region has forced the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), in conjunction with the BC Wildfire Service to move from an Evacuation Alert to an Evacuation Order for the communities of Argenta and Johnsons Landing in Electoral Area D due […]

The already roasting temperature in the Slocan Valley rose by several degrees Wednesday night as fire and regional district officials met with a heated group of valley residents in Winlaw to discuss the escalating conditions of several out-of-control wildfires. Over 200 people filled the gymnasium of Winlaw Elementary School to hear about the state of […]

On the recommendation of the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has expanded the existing Evacuation Order to include the entire Village of Silverton, and 17 surrounding addresses in Electoral Area “H”. This Order is adding to the existing Order areas south of the Village of […]

The feasibility of constructing a separate bike line on the big orange bridge is being investigated through a new Provincial grant. Billed as a Highway 3A Kootenay Lake Bridge active transportation improvement, the project entails engineering to determine the feasibility of constructing protected bicycle lanes and sidewalks on the bridge. Funded through the Active Transportation […]

The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Slocan Lake Complex, including, but not limited to, the Aylwin Creek wildfire (N51065), Komonko Creek wildfire (N51210), Nemo Creek wildfire (N51103), Ponderosa FSR wildfire (N51069), and Mulvey Creek wildfire (N51117). In the interest of public and responder safety, an area restriction is now in effect within […]

A number of small troughs have passed through the Southeast Fire Centre since the evening of July 17. In the past week, over 1600 lightning strikes have been recorded, resulting in 126 new fires in the region. Ground crews, aviation resources, heavy equipment, and structure protection teams have been working on clusters of fires throughout […]