Wildfire Evacuations, Osoyoos Land-Swap & First Nations Eye SMRs — Vancouver Friday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. Evacuation order for 107 properties near Big Bar Lake as Fiftynine Creek wildfire escalates. The Thompson Nicola Regional District upgraded an evacuation alert to an order covering approximately 107 addressed properties in Electoral Area “E” (Bonaparte Plateau) after the Fiftynine Creek wildfire rapidly intensified near Big Bar Lake. Officials warned Big Bar Road — a gravel access route — may be impacted and directed everyone in the order area to leave immediately.

2. Signal Hill wildfire grows to about 97 hectares as Pemberton residents prepare to evacuate. BC Wildfire Service and local crews reported the Signal Hill fire at an estimated 97 hectares burning near Pemberton, a community of about 3,600 people; village officials issued evacuation orders for One Mile Lake Park and alerts for surrounding areas while some homes briefly lost power due to fire activity under power lines.

3. Lightning strike sets Courtenay roof on fire amid regional storm, crews extinguish blaze. A Courtenay, Vancouver Island, home was struck on Thursday night, igniting the roof peak before Cumberland and Comox Valley crews extinguished the blaze; the storm produced widespread flooding, several power outages, and prompted a high volume of 911 calls, Courtenay Fire Chief Kurt McDonald said.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. Two children still missing after Amber Alert; RCMP seek mother Krista Morrison and partner Daniel Ludwig. Alberta RCMP said six-year-old Lanakai Morrison and four-year-old Karl Morrison remain missing following the July 7 disappearance; RCMP continue to seek 35-year-old Krista Morrison and Daniel Ludwig, and reported sightings in British Columbia including Fort St. John on July 8 but have not located the children.

2. Fort St. John RCMP ask public help locating 31-year-old Nicole Andrus and one-month-old Krew Gordon. Police reported Nicole Andrus and infant Krew Gordon were last seen on July 9 and were reported missing July 16; RCMP believe they may be travelling in a green 2003 Ford Expedition BC plate RK3 60C and asked the public not to approach but to call Fort St. John RCMP at 250-787-8140.

3. B.C. man describes two months detained in Georgia over prescription ADHD medication. Simon Rovensky, 22, said Georgian authorities arrested him despite medication in original pharmacy container with prescription tag; he spent nearly two months in Gldani Prison before his family raised tens of thousands of dollars to cover a fine, legal fees and other costs and secured his release.

🎨 Community & Culture

1. Osoyoos Band negotiating a land-swap with B.C. to restore culturally significant Crown sites. Chief Clarence Louie said the band is seeking a patchwork of Crown land, including ancestral burial sites and locations like Spotted Lake, in exchange for keeping existing highways that cross current reserve boundaries; Louie emphasized no private properties are on the table and negotiations focus solely on Crown land.

2. Five First Nations delegation studies small modular reactors in Ontario to assess power options for B.C. Representatives from the Haisla, Metlakatla, Nisga’a, Halfway River and Ts’il Kaz Koh First Nations travelled to Ontario to learn about SMRs as B.C. plans for increasing electricity demand over two decades; Chief Wes Sam of Ts’il Kaz Koh said his nation is educating itself and not yet taking a position for or against nuclear technology.

📰 Also Today

• Premiere Eby calls B.C. the 'canary in the coal mine' for wildfire impacts.
• Blueberry River First Nations plans native plant orchard to restore land.
• Lawyer says 'no amount of money' would prevent alleged Bishnoi associate's release.
• Wildfire count more than doubles after lightning across B.C.; multiple new fires reported.
• Crews battled a 38-hectare Signal Hill fire near Pemberton as evacuation orders held.
• Mayor urges Sea-to-Sky highway upgrades after deadly crash and closure.
• Investigation opened into fuel prices in Kamloops and Sea-to-Sky regions.
• Senior RCMP officer's 'no evidence' comment about India contrasts past statements.
• B.C. Hydro reports Site C costs at $14.9 billion as construction winds down.
• Environment Canada says El Niño has arrived, forecasts unusually strong impacts.
• South Okanagan residents demand answers after regional fire chief departures.
• Simpcw First Nation signs consent agreement for proposed copper mine near Kamloops.
• Delta park to add a dedicated ash-scattering site with official designation.
• Refugee board orders deportation of alleged Bishnoi gang associate Sahibjot Singh.