Aerial spraying set for next week
Conditions permitting, aerial sprays planned for later this month over the skies of Cranbrook. The target: an invasive, damaging caterpillar, which morphs into the spongy moth. Originally from Europe, acting provincial forest entomologist Tim Ebata telling us it's already established itself in Eastern Canada and the U....
May 15, 2024
Man at centre of weapons incident arrested
An unnamed man involved in a firearms incident in the Jaffray area last week has been arrested. RCMP confirm that a 39-year-old man wanted in connection with a weapons complaint was taken into custody Friday. The individual, who lives in the area, faces firearms, assault, and driving-related charges. The incident occur...
May 14, 2024
Kimberley Council de-brief
Like its counterparts, the City of Kimberley is looking at its zoning bylaws closely ahead of an imposed June 30 deadline by the province. At the centre of discussion is an easing of development restrictions, paving the way to allow for more housing communities across BC. Mayor Don McCormick was asked if he sees the le...
May 14, 2024
Wild Horse River fire under control
The BC Wildfire Service is now classifying a wildfire that broke out late Thursday afternoon northeast of Cranbrook as 'under control.' The blaze, which has now been sized at 5.32 hectares was reported just before 6pm, burning between the Wardner-Fort Steele Road and Kootenay River. Named the Wild Horse River Fire, &qu...
May 11, 2024
Update: Highway 95A re-opened to traffic
12:30pm Update: RCMP say the highway has been re-opened and traffic is flowing in both directions. Original Traffic Alert: Cranbrook RCMP have notified us to say that Highway 95A between Cranbrook and Kimberley has been closed due to a motor vehicle incident. There are no details to provide at this time. It's suggest...
May 11, 2024
Ban on Category 3 open burns begins May 17
With forecasted dry conditions for almost of BC in the coming weeks and months, the BC Wildfire Service is beginning the process of putting burning bans in place. The first for our area this season, a Category 3, comes into play next Friday, May 17th at 12 noon and will remain up until noon October 28th. However, if we...
May 10, 2024
Wildfire starts Thursday near Cranbrook
An initial attack crew from the BC Wildfire Service was called out Thursday night to an incident in the Fort Steele area. The blaze between the Kootenay River and Wardner-Fort Steele Road was discovered late yesterday afternoon, just before 6pm. At last check, it was a little over two hectares in size, burning in the W...
May 10, 2024
Province unveils evacuation-ready planner
The BC government is unveiling the Emergency Ready Planner, an online tool, it says, will help British Columbians to better prepare themselves for evacuations in the situation of a wildfire, flood, or other life-dangering event. Bowinn Ma, is this province's Emergency Management and Climate Readiness minister... Last y...
May 10, 2024
Wildfire training for local, regional firefighters
As we've seen in places like Kelowna and Fort McMurray, wildfires don't stop at a community's borders. With that in mind, many municipal and regional fire departments are learning the best way to fight them. This weekend, Cranbrook will play host to such a session dubbed fire boss or engine boss training. Scott Driver ...
May 09, 2024
Update: Weapons incident Wednesday near Jaffray
Update: RCMP, as of late Thursday morning, were continuing to look for an individual believed to be involved in a weapons-related encounter with another person in the Baynes Lake area yesterday. While authorities were asking the public to stay away from areas to the south of Jaffray, Corporal James Grandy says RCMP are...
May 09, 2024