Local News

The Big Stick Lake Area fire crossed Highway 20 Tuesday, July 13. (Photo submitted)

Cariboo Fire Centre gives latest details on wildfire situation

There are nine wildfires of note within the region

  • Jul 20, 2021
Xeni Gwet’in First Nation community members Jim Lulua Sr., from left, Dinah Lulua, Delia William and Ubill Lulua (right) with Jim Dooley, Arctic Arrow Power foreman. (Shannon Woods photo)

Xeni Gwet’in First Nation celebrates solar electrical expansion for community

A ground breaking ceremony was held June 24, 2021

The Hotnarko Creek fire forced the closure of Highway 20 July 13. (Graham West photo)

Update: Highway 20 reopened between Bella Coola Valley and Anahim Lake

The closure occurred Monday evening July 19 due to the Hotnarko Creek fire

St. Joseph’s Mission site is located about six kilometres from Williams Lake First Nation. (Photo submitted)

WLFN establishes email to share information regarding former St. Joseph’s Mission investigation

Archival research and review of oral histories underway, ground analysis expected to begin in August

St. Joseph’s Mission site is located about six kilometres from Williams Lake First Nation. (Photo submitted)
A airtanker returns to Kamloops from the Cariboo Chilcotin region earlier this month. (Jason Foster photo)

Cariboo Fire Centre urges public to exercise extreme caution due to dry conditions

Historic heatwave in June has raised fire dangers to critical levels

A airtanker returns to Kamloops from the Cariboo Chilcotin region earlier this month. (Jason Foster photo)
A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, forms in the sky as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

BC Hydro keeping eye on large wildfire burning near transmission line

The Brenda Creek wildfire in Central Okanagan is still classified as out of control

A pyrocumulus cloud, also known as a fire cloud, forms in the sky as the Tremont Creek wildfire burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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Mary Simon speaks during an announcement at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Que., on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. Simon, an Inuk leader and former Canadian diplomat, has been named as Canada's next governor general — the first Indigenous person to serve in the role. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
VIDEO: Mary Simon becomes Canada’s 1st Indigenous governor general
Bill Merilees, a retired B.C. Parks regional information officer, collected mollusk shells from B.C. and Washington state coastlines for 50 years and has donated his 140,000-specimen collection to University of British Columbia’s Beaty Biodiversity Museum. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
VIDEO: B.C. man donates 140,000 mollusk specimens to biodiversity museum
Helicopters fly past the Tremont Creek wildfire as it burns on the mountains above Ashcroft, B.C., on Friday, July 16, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. says expanding emergency alert for wildfires is a priority, but no timeline set
Richard and Linda Davis hug their grandchildren Miles and Linda Carnegie at their home in Winnipeg, Sunday, July 18, 2021. The couple were able to hug their grandchildren for the first time in fifteen months when Manitoba lifted some COVID-19 restrictions this weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
‘A light at the end of the tunnel’: Canadians hug loved ones in post-vaccine reunions
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Firefighters battle one of the fires in the Cariboo region. (Photo submitted)

There are nine wildfires of note within Cariboo Fire Centre: BCWS

Latest information on fires in the region provided July 16

Firefighters battle one of the fires in the Cariboo region. (Photo submitted)
The proposed Blackwater Gold Mine will be constructed and operated approximately 110 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof. (Artemis Gold Inc photo)

Artemis Gold receives early work permit for Blackwater Gold Project

Permit approved by B.C. Government

The proposed Blackwater Gold Mine will be constructed and operated approximately 110 kilometres southwest of Vanderhoof. (Artemis Gold Inc photo)
Ulkatcho First Nation evacuated members Roland, Diane and Kayden Paul get ready to board a bus to Prince George Wednesday evening. (Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Evacuees from 100 Mile area, Ulkatcho First Nation seek shelter, services in Williams Lake

The ESS Centre is located at Lake City Secondary School Williams Lake Campus on Carson Drive

Ulkatcho First Nation evacuated members Roland, Diane and Kayden Paul get ready to board a bus to Prince George Wednesday evening. (Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Mike Wiegele died July 15, 2021, at age 82. (Mike Wiegele's Helicopter Skiing / Facebook)

Mike Wiegele, Blue River heli-skiing industry legend, dies at age 82

“He had an unparalleled passion for skiing (and) was a fearless entrepreneur.”

Mike Wiegele died July 15, 2021, at age 82. (Mike Wiegele's Helicopter Skiing / Facebook)
The Big Stick fire west of Tatla Lake left its mark on the area, as seen by Ulkatcho First Nation leadership surveying the damage. (Denise Cahoose video image)

VIDEO: Fire and ash greet travellers, Highway 20 reopens between Tatla and Anahim Lake

The fire also destroyed valuable pine mushrooms in the area

The Big Stick fire west of Tatla Lake left its mark on the area, as seen by Ulkatcho First Nation leadership surveying the damage. (Denise Cahoose video image)
The Big Stick Lake fire and Hotnarko Creek fire forced the closure of Highway 20 Tuesday and Wednesday, July 13 and 14. Image taken July 13. (Charlene Elkins photo)

Strong winds continue to fuel Big Stick Lake fire in Chilcotin

The Big Stick Lake fire is estimated to be 4,000 hectares

The Big Stick Lake fire and Hotnarko Creek fire forced the closure of Highway 20 Tuesday and Wednesday, July 13 and 14. Image taken July 13. (Charlene Elkins photo)
Anahim Lake west of Williams Lake is on evacuation alert due to wildfires. (Angie Mindus photo)

Ulkatcho First Nation at Anahim Lake praying for rain

Fire danger extreme as nearby fires challenge firefighters and close highways

Anahim Lake west of Williams Lake is on evacuation alert due to wildfires. (Angie Mindus photo)
The communities of Anahim Lake and Ulkatcho First Nation are located about 300 kms west of Williams Lake. (Graham West photo)

Military helicopter en route to Ulkatcho First Nation to transport some residents out

Access to the community has been cut off due to wildfires in the Chilcotin

The communities of Anahim Lake and Ulkatcho First Nation are located about 300 kms west of Williams Lake. (Graham West photo)
The Big Stick fire prompted the closure of Highway 20 Tuesday afternoon, July 13. (Graham West photo)

Update: Highway 20 near Kleena Kleene reopened with pilot car through Big Stick fire burn

Access between Anahim Lake and the Bella Coola Valley remains closed Thursday

The Big Stick fire prompted the closure of Highway 20 Tuesday afternoon, July 13. (Graham West photo)
Larry Walker Jr., a former Colorado Rockies player, will not attend all-star events in Denver this week after being “bit” by COVID-19. (National Baseball Hall of Fame)

COVID-19 keeps Larry Walker out of all-star festivities

B.C. baseball great will be inducted into Hall of Fame in September

Larry Walker Jr., a former Colorado Rockies player, will not attend all-star events in Denver this week after being “bit” by COVID-19. (National Baseball Hall of Fame)
The Hotnarko Creek fire west of Williams Lake has grown to 950 hectares. Residents in the Anahim Lake area were placed under an evacuation alert Monday, July 12. (BCWS map)

Hotnarko Creek wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Anahim Lake area

The Cariboo Regional District issued the alert Monday July 12

The Hotnarko Creek fire west of Williams Lake has grown to 950 hectares. Residents in the Anahim Lake area were placed under an evacuation alert Monday, July 12. (BCWS map)
A firefighting helicopter passes over Barkerville Historic Town and Park near Wells on Saturday, July 10.(Rebecca Dyok Photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)

Popular Bowron Lake canoe circuit open despite wildfires – for now

Provincial park operator says they are monitoring the situation hour by hour

A firefighting helicopter passes over Barkerville Historic Town and Park near Wells on Saturday, July 10.(Rebecca Dyok Photo - Quesnel Cariboo Observer)
Cariboo residents can expect smokey skies and hot temperatures this week, July 12 to 15. (Anna Fait photo)

Cariboo heads into ‘less aggressive’ heat wave, smoky skies to kick off work week

Williams Lake and 100 Mile House under heat warning, special air quality statement

Cariboo residents can expect smokey skies and hot temperatures this week, July 12 to 15. (Anna Fait photo)
The Cariboo Regional District has issued an evacuation order for the Big Stick Lake area.

Big Stick Lake area under evacuation order

Residents advised to leave the area immediately

The Cariboo Regional District has issued an evacuation order for the Big Stick Lake area.