Wildfires Escalate & $30M School Settlement, Feds $4M for Tumbler Ridge — Vancouver Saturday

🚑 Breaking & Incidents

1. Cold front will likely escalate B.C. wildfires over the August long weekend. The B.C. Wildfire Service warns strong winds and lightning with little rain will likely spark new lightning-caused fires and worsen existing blazes; nearly 110 active wildfires are burning in the province with 48 listed as out of control and the Pear Lake fire now over 900 sq km. Evacuation orders have moved more than 1,800 properties across a zone more than 70 km long and 65 km wide.

🎨 Community & Culture

1. Vancouver police will march in the Pride Parade after a six-year absence. The announcement ends a six-year police parade boycott.
2. Two groups are working to stop whale deaths in B.C. waters. Report notes escalating whale mortalities and describes efforts by two separate conservation groups to respond.
3. Grinder, the Grouse Mountain grizzly, has died. Park operators confirm the death of the well-known grizzly bear.

🏛️ Government & Politics

1. Court approves $30 million settlement in B.C. Catholic school sex-abuse class action. A judge has approved a $30M class-action settlement addressing historical abuse in Catholic schools in B.C.
2. Federal government pledges $4 million in supports for Tumbler Ridge after mass shooting. Ottawa announced $4M in new funding for the community following the mass-shooting incident.

🚨 Crime & Public Safety

1. Fort St. John man fined for dumping used oil into a local creek. A local man was fined after authorities found used oil dumped into a creek near Fort St. John.
2. RCMP say recovering a sunken B.C. charter must preserve evidence. Mounties stated recovery of the charter vessel should be handled carefully to maintain evidence for the investigation.

📰 Also Today

• B.C. weather conditions expected to spark new wildfires, officials warn of increased fire risk.
• First-of-its-kind Black arts and cultural centre opening in downtown Victoria.
• Wind and lightning forecast adds fresh challenge to B.C. wildfire fight.
• Taiwan tourist finds 100-million-year-old dinosaur track in Tumbler Ridge.
• Carey Newman’s Witness Blanket becomes a multi-user VR experience.
• B.C. roadside attractions compete in summer bracket, bracket-style competition underway.
• (Duplicate listed) Federal $4M support for Tumbler Ridge after mass shooting.