Pear Lake Fire, West Coast Trail Evacuations & Interfor HQ Move — Vancouver Wednesday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. BC wildfire crews warn Pear Lake fire could grow; estimated at 66,000 hectares. Jean Strong with BC Wildfire Service said evacuation orders and alerts are expanding around Clinton and 70 Mile House, and additional crews from Yukon and Alberta have arrived while Mexican personnel are scheduled to arrive Aug. 3.
2. More than 70 hikers evacuated from Vancouver Island’s 75-km West Coast Trail after heavy July rains. Parks Canada called sections “impassable,” its visitor safety team is responding to many evacuation requests, and reservations through Aug. 1 are eligible for full refunds.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. RCMP seized explosives, dozens of firearms and large drug quantities as a B.C. drug lab was about to start. Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit said searches in Abbotsford, Surrey and Enderby in May uncovered two kilos each of fentanyl and meth, 64 litres of GHB, and 65 commercial explosive cubes.
2. Metal thieves cut copper cables at six BC Hydro fast chargers in Port Moody early Tuesday. Port Moody police said sensors alerted staff, BC Hydro reported 44 fast-charger cable thefts at 22 sites since October costing about $1 million in repairs, and the utility is adding cameras.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. City of Vancouver names group led by developer Zack Ross as preferred MLB expansion partner. Council directed staff to enter a memorandum of understanding with The Show Vancouver to pursue due diligence on potential ballpark sites, with TSV responsible for all bid preparation costs and financial risks.
2. TransLink says HandyDART user’s mobility device exceeds current vehicle securement specifications. Tom Cretain, who lost 28 years of HandyDART service, has been contacted by TransLink’s CEO; TransLink arranged a mobility expert meeting this week and is considering longer-term vehicle or equipment changes.

💼 Economy & Business

1. Interfor will move its headquarters from Burnaby to the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, company memo says. CEO Ian Fillinger’s memo (seen by the Financial Post) follows a long-term shift of assets to the U.S., and critics say the move reflects struggles in B.C.’s forestry sector amid tariffs and industry contractions.
2. Uniper and Ksi Lisims sign a 20-year LNG off-take for two mtpa, with deliveries from 2032. The agreement in Düsseldorf commits roughly 30 TWh per year on an FOB basis and is the first major long-term LNG supply deal between Canada and Germany.

📰 Also Today

• Fire clouds visible only during huge wildfires.
• New B.C. autism support group trains first responders.
• B.C.’s Macklin Celebrini becomes NHL’s highest-paid player with Sharks extension.
• Toronto Raptors to play pre-season games in Vancouver and Quebec City.
• Report says B.C. air quality is worsening due to wildfires.
• District to update evacuees as wildfire continues near Clinton.
• Coroner’s inquest begins into Haida Elder’s fatal Surrey RCMP shooting.
• B.C. restricts water use on Salmon River watershed amid 'severe' drought.
• Ottawa lends $100M to company with B.C., Alberta pulp mills over tariffs.
• One of three men in cross-border drug probe denied bail.
• Vancouver council decisively rejects 'villages' plan after widespread opposition.
• Comox Valley club seeks approval for a mobile cricket pitch.
• Woodfibre LNG in Squamish prepares to export to Asia.
• New Westminster mother sentenced to 4.5 years after 18-month-old's death.
• More than 70 hikers evacuated from West Coast Trail amid heavy rains.