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Daily Vancouver Jul 30 - Jul 30, 2026

Condo Lawsuit, Port Expansion & Logan Lake Wildfire — Vancouver Thursday

20 articles 1 hour ago 3

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

  1. New wildfire near Logan Lake grows to about 88 hectares and closes Highway 97C. The Guichon Creek fire, first reported Wednesday, is burning out of control north of Merritt and has prompted closure of Highway 97C between Logan Lake and Highland Valley Copper Mine. Thompson Nicola Regional District and the District of Logan Lake issued evacuation alerts for close to 60 properties; BC Wildfire Service says behaviour is Rank 2–3 and suspects human cause.
  2. Wildfire left one Clinton-area property reduced to a single burned chimney as Pear Lake blaze reaches about 670 sq km. Resident Carol Senzeni says her Six Mile Lake home was destroyed and she evacuated with two cats; Village of Clinton officials plan to call residents who lost buildings. Officials report just under 50 of 130 B.C. wildfires are out of control and hot, dry weather is expected through the August long weekend.

🏛️ Government & Politics

  1. Prime Minister Mark Carney backs Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion and cites over 17,000 jobs from new capacity. Speaking at the Deltaport site in Delta, Carney said Ottawa plans to invest “about $10 billion, more than $10 billion” to expand port capacity, aiming to grow exports away from the U.S. by more than 50 per cent; the project was recently referred to Canada’s Major Projects Office by Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon.
  2. BC Wildfire Service and Minister Ravi Parmar warn against defying evacuation orders after a resident near Chasm needed rescue. Incident commander Bryce Moreira said crews rescued a man who refused to evacuate and became surrounded by fire; Parmar said staying behind diverts firefighter focus from protecting homes, and officials reiterated evacuation orders follow public-safety planning.

💼 Economy & Business

  1. Creditors sue Port Moody’s 23-acre Portwood development, saying more than $122 million is owed. Court filings claim developers defaulted on financing tied to the multi-phase project of 20 planned buildings; the developer says the lawsuit targets undeveloped portions and that more than 80 per cent of phase one units are sold, with move-in readiness expected this fall. Realtor Steve Saretsky linked rising interest rates to stalled large projects.
  2. Canfor permanently closes its Fox Creek sawmill as fibre shortages and tariffs bite; more than 74 jobs affected. Canfor CEO Susan Yurkovich cited insufficient regional fibre after the end of Alberta’s pine-beetle management strategy and U.S. duties and weak markets; the Fox Creek mill, rebuilt in 2011, employed more than 74 people according to Canfor’s website.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

  1. Vancouver police release video of a violent robbery of a 75-year-old man near East Hastings and Jackson. The assault occurred about 9:15 a.m. Tuesday in the Downtown Eastside; police say the victim suffered a head injury and was released from hospital, and investigators ask witnesses to contact VPD Major Crime at 604-717-2541. Officers describe multiple suspects who punched and slammed the victim before fleeing.
  2. Woman missing from Shambhala festival tried to call her sister before she disappeared, family says. Family members reported the woman attempted a phone call prior to her disappearance at the Shambhala music festival; search and family-alert details remain active as relatives seek information.

🎨 Community & Culture

  1. A floating spa is set to be moored in Vancouver’s Kitsilano marina despite local opposition. The proposal to moor the spa in Kitsilano has drawn protests from residents and local groups, but city approvals or marina decisions reported in coverage indicate proponents are moving forward with the plan. Coverage cites community concern over the installation’s location and impacts.
  2. Cultus Lake Waterpark begins phased reopening after electrical incident that sent 12 children to hospital. The park reported an electrical incident that hospitalized 12 children and has begun reopening in phases as of the latest coverage, with staff and officials overseeing staged returns to operation.

📰 Also Today

  • Debate over guests helping pay for kids’ birthday parties surfaces, with rising costs cited.
  • Wildfires torch hundreds of power poles, causing flickering lights across B.C.
  • Penticton gallery criticized after donated art sold at Value Village, trustees respond.
  • Rare duck‑billed dinosaur tracks found in Tumbler Ridge shed light on ancient delta.
  • Crews rescued a resident who defied an evacuation order, BC Wildfire Service confirms.
  • Four of 20 Canadian writers to watch in 2026 are from B.C.
  • 100 Mile House emergency department closed again; regional health services affected.
  • German utility signs long‑term LNG purchase deal with B.C.’s Ksi Lisims project.
  • High winds fan wildfires across B.C.; officials warn fires will likely grow this week.
  • (Duplicate listed) Woman missing from Shambhala festival tried to call sister before disappearance, family says.

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Source Articles (20)

Wind fans flames of wildfires across B.C., as officials warn fires will likely grow this week

Of particular concern is the Pear Lake wildfire, roughly 20 kilometres from Clinton, B.C. — the largest active wildfire in the province at about 669 square kilometres — which has already destroyed several properties.

General Jul 30, 2026

Woman missing from Shambhala music festival tried to call sister before disappearance, family says

Kayla Boisvert of Trenton, Ont., was last seen July 27.

General Jul 30, 2026

German utility locks in long-term LNG purchasing deal from B.C.'s Ksi Lisims

The Duesseldorf-based company Unifer will purchase two million tonnes per year of LNG for up to 20 years, with first deliveries expected in 2032.

General Jul 30, 2026

Cultus Lake Waterpark begins phased reopening after electrical incident that sent 12 children to hospital

After 12 children were injured in June by an electrical shock at Cultus Lake Waterpark, the park has begun a phased reopening starting July 29, following a six-week closure for safety investigations.

General Jul 30, 2026

100 Mile House emergency department closed — again

The 100 Mile House District General Hospital's emergency department is closed for 13 hours on July 29 and July 30.

General Jul 30, 2026

Floating spa to be moored in Vancouver's Kitsilano marina, despite opposition

A WW II-era marine vessel converted into a floating hydrotherapy spa will drop anchor in Vancouver’s Heritage Harbour Marina, and provide funds to a local museum.

General Jul 30, 2026

20 Canadian writers to watch in 2026 — 4 of them from B.C.

Every year, CBC Books makes of list of writers making their mark on the Canadian literary scene. From romance to nonfiction, these authors are telling fresh and interesting stories.

General Jul 30, 2026
Burned chimney all that remains of woman’s home after wildfire near Clinton, B.C.

Burned chimney all that remains of woman’s home after wildfire near Clinton, B.C.

A resident from British Columbia's Cariboo region says there’s nothing left around her property other than her burnt-out chimney stack and her neighbour’s propane tank.

Canada Jul 30, 2026

Crews called to rescue resident who defied evacuation order, B.C. Wildfire Service says

Wildfire officials in British Columbia are urging people to abide by evacuation orders, after they say crews were forced to rescue a resident who had stayed in a fire zone.

General Jul 30, 2026

Rare duck-billed dinosaur tracks in Tumbler Ridge help tell story of ancient delta, says earth scientist

In 1988, earth scientist Guy Plint was conducting sedimentary studies around Tumbler Ridge, examining 86-million-year-old formations, when, unbeknownst to him, he unearthed duck-billed dinosaur tracks.

General Jul 30, 2026

Penticton gallery faces backlash after donated art ends up at Value Village

The Penticton Art Gallery says they made an error after donated pieces of art ended up discarded at the local Value Village. The decision prompted major backlash from local artists and members of the community.

General Jul 30, 2026

Smoke and ash lead to flickering lights as wildfires torch hundreds of power poles in B.C.

B.C. Hydro says it will have to replace hundreds of power poles due to wildfires raging in southern B.C., but that its major transmission lines have escaped major damage.

General Jul 30, 2026

Kids' birthday parties are getting more expensive. Should guests help pay for them?

Many argue you shouldn't throw a party if you can't afford it, while others defend the practice given costs for everything are skyrocketing. But when did the expectations for children's parties get so high?

General Jul 30, 2026
Sawmill closures ‘gut-wrenching’ amid lumber industry headwinds: Canfor CEO

Sawmill closures ‘gut-wrenching’ amid lumber industry headwinds: Canfor CEO

The Fox Creek, Alta. sawmill is closing because there's not enough fibre in the region to sustain it long-term, coupled with U.S. tariffs and weak markets, the company said.

Economy Jul 30, 2026
B.C. man defied wildfire evacuation order, then called for help when fire grew

B.C. man defied wildfire evacuation order, then called for help when fire grew

Crews responded and were able to get the man to safety, but officials are warning of the dangers of not obeying evacuation orders.

Fire Jul 30, 2026
Carney says B.C. port expansion necessary to boost exports, independence

Carney says B.C. port expansion necessary to boost exports, independence

Carney outlined his support for the Port of Vancouver's Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion as he toured part of Global Container Terminals' Deltaport facility in Delta, B.C.

Economy Jul 30, 2026
Former NHLer Tood Warriner to coach Windsor women

Former NHLer Tood Warriner to coach Windsor women

Former NHL player Todd Warriner has been named interim head coach of the University of Windsor's women's hockey team.

Sports Jul 30, 2026
Vancouver police release video of violent robbery of 75-year-old man

Vancouver police release video of violent robbery of 75-year-old man

The victim was attacked on Tuesday morning while going for a walk near East Hastings Street and Jackson Avenue in the Downtown Eastside.

Crime Jul 30, 2026
Wildfire near Logan Lake prompts evacuation alerts, partial closure of highway

Wildfire near Logan Lake prompts evacuation alerts, partial closure of highway

The wildfire near Logan Lake broke out on Wednesday and the BC Wildfire Service says it is about 88 hectares in size and burning out of control.

Fire Jul 30, 2026
Creditors file suit against Port Moody condo development, say more than $100M owed

Creditors file suit against Port Moody condo development, say more than $100M owed

The Portwood Project is described as a '23-acre green-focused community positioned squarely in the pulse of vibrant Port Moody.'

Economy Jul 30, 2026