Wildfire crews are battling an out-of-control wildfire in central British Columbia — one of seven human-caused blazes reported in the Cariboo region on Saturday afternoon.
The Burgess Creek fire is burning over an area of 0.5 square kilometres — about 50 kilometres south of Quesnel, a city about 415 kilometres northeast of Vancouver.
The fire is sending a thick plume of smoke into the air that is visible from Quesnel, Williams Lake and Highway 97C, according to B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) information officer Madison Dahl.
However, Dahl said Saturday afternoon that no homes or buildings are threatened at this time.
“There’s over 25 personnel on the ground. We have heavy equipment that will be working throughout the night,” Dahl told CBC News, noting there are also helicopters and planes on site.
The Burgess Creek wildfire is not threatening any structures, according to Dahl. (B.C. Wildfire Service)
Dry conditions and strong winds helped the fire spread Saturday afternoon and into the evening, Dahl said.
Crews were working through the night to establish lines of control while temperatures are cooler and would re-evaluate their strategy Sunday morning, she added.
The other six fires reported in the Cariboo fire centre on Saturday are all either out, under control or being held, according to BCWS.
“That’s in large part thanks to the efforts of volunteer fire departments both in Quesnel and Williams Lake,” said Dahl.
“It’s only because of the sharing of resources and the quick response and assistance from those fire departments that we were able to properly respond to all of the wildfires.”
But Dahl said it is still “a lot of wildfires to respond to” in one day, let alone so early in the spring.
Other fires reported in Interior
Crews are also battling out-of-control wildfires started in other parts of B.C.’s Interior this weekend, signalling an early start to what wildfire and election officials have warned could be another “very challenging” wildfire season ahead.
Two wildfires were reported in the Prince George fire region on Saturday, and both of them are currently classified as out-of-control.
BCWS and Kamloops fire crews responded to an out-control grass fire near Cooney Bay, about 20 kilometres east of downtown Kamloops on the north bank of the Thompson River. It is believed to be human-caused, according to the BCWS.
The fire was brought under control Saturday evening and crews will remain on scene overnight, Kamloops Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc said in a social media post shortly before 10 p.m. PT.
Great work done today by KFR crews <a href=”https://twitter.com/KamFire?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@KamFire</a> and our partners <a href=”https://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@BCGovFireInfo</a> and <a href=”https://twitter.com/CNRailway?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@CNRailway</a> to get the Cooney Bay fire contained. KFR crews remain on scene through the night. <a href=”https://twitter.com/hashtag/Teamwork?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>#Teamwork</a> Thank you to all! <a href=”https://t.co/l3Bkq7BSwu”>pic.twitter.com/l3Bkq7BSwu</a>
About 15 kilometres north of Lytton, the out-of-control Skoonka Creek wildfire is burning over an area of 0.3 square kilometres. BCWS is taking a modified response because there is no immediate risk to life or property, according to its website.
In the province’s southeast corner, a small fire was discovered on Saturday as well and is burning out of control about 20 kilometres north of Grand Forks, according to the BCWS website. It is also suspected to be human-caused, according to the service.
CBC News has reached out to the BCWS for more information on the fires.
Dahl urged people out enjoying nature to be careful and to report smoke and other signs of fire to BCWS immediately.
“Every time we have to respond to a human-caused wildfire, especially after a lightning bust, that depletes the resources that we have to respond to those natural fires,” she said of the Cariboo wildfires. “These are all preventable fires.”
OTTAWA – The pressing issues of climate change and food security join more familiar ones like violent extremism and espionage on a new list of Canada’s intelligence priorities.
The federal government says publishing the list of priorities for the first time is an important step toward greater transparency.
The government revises the priorities every two years, based on recommendations from the national security adviser and the intelligence community.
Once the priorities are reviewed and approved by the federal cabinet, key ministers issue directives to federal agencies that produce intelligence.
Among the priorities are the security of global health, food, water and biodiversity, as well as the issues of climate change and global sustainability.
The new list also includes foreign interference and malign influence, cyberthreats, infrastructure security, Arctic sovereignty, border integrity and transnational organized crime.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette returned to the 10-day injured list Thursday due to a right middle finger fracture.
The move, retroactive to Wednesday, essentially ends an injury-plagued season for Bichette.
He had two hits and one RBI in a 13-8 loss to Texas on Tuesday in his return from a 52-game stint on the IL with a right calf strain.
Bichette also missed nine games due to the calf issue in June.
His latest injury was suffered Wednesday during infield practice. Bichette was a late scratch in a 2-0 loss to the Rangers.
Bichette hit four homers with 31 RBIs in 81 games this season. He posted a .225 batting average and a .322 slugging percentage.
The Blue Jays also recalled outfielder Jonatan Clase from Triple-A Buffalo. He was active for the series finale against the Rangers on Thursday afternoon, the team said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Falcons wide receiver Drake London was penalized after catching a touchdown pass in the final minute of Atlanta’s 22-21 victory in Philadelphia on Monday night for pretending to shoot in the air, a violation of a longstanding NFL rule that prohibits violent gestures.
London immediately apologized on the sideline, according to Falcons coach Raheem Morris, and did it publicly on Wednesday.
“There’s a lot of stuff going around in the world with gun violence that I don’t think I should have displayed there,” London told reporters. “So, I’m not too happy with it, and (you) probably won’t see that again from me.”
The NFL has strict rules for celebrations and players are reminded annually that violations will result in unsportsmanlike penalties.
London’s 7-yard TD catch on a pass from Kirk Cousins tied the score at 21-21. His penalty pushed the extra point back 15 yards but Younghoe Koo made it from 48 yards out to give Atlanta a lead and Jessie Bates intercepted Jalen Hurts’ pass on the ensuing drive to seal the victory.
“We approach player celebrations as expressions of exuberance that are part of the excitement of the game. Rules were modified in 2017 that permitted group celebrations, including choregraphed demonstrations. Offensive demonstrations, celebrations that are prolonged and delay the game, and those directed at an opponent are still penalized,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement. “Players are reminded annually and it’s part of the player manual that demonstrations that constitute taunting or unsportsmanlike conduct, or delays the game, will result in a foul against his team.
“Also prohibited acts that occur anywhere on the field or sideline include longtime prohibitions against throat slash; machine gun salute; sexually suggestive gestures; or stomping or demonstrations on a team logo.”
London’s celebration came 12 days after four people were killed in a shooting at Apalachee High School near Winder, Georgia. The Falcons hosted the school’s football team at their practice facility last week.
