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Starting tomorrow, the BC Wildfire Service is implementing a campfire ban in all parts of B.C., except Haida Gwaii.    

The ban will take effect at noon (Pacific time) on Friday, July 12, 2024, and will remain until further notice.

The ban is being implemented to help prevent human-caused wildfires and help protect public safety. The category 1 (campfires) ban is in addition to current provincewide bans for category 2 and 3 fires. This means open fires of any size, except those licensed for prescribed burns, will be prohibited everywhere in B.C., outside of Haida Gwaii.

The Peace River Regional District has issued an Evacuation Alert #1 for the Tupper Creek Wildfire.

This wildfire is currently listed as Out of Control, and anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter, or control line.

Due to the potential danger to life and health, the following area is asked to be on alert:

-198 Road and the BC Provincial border

-West to Hwy 2 and 198 Road

-Continuing west along the 198 Road to the Kiskatinaw River

A man who admitted to killing four women in Winnipeg but claimed he was too mentally ill to be held responsible has been found guilty of first-degree murder.

Defence lawyers had argued Jeremy Skibicki was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the slayings in 2022 and should be found not criminally responsible and detained in a hospital.

But Crown prosecutors said he had the mental capacity and awareness to commit and cover up the killings.

People in a packed courtroom cheered and clapped when the verdict came down Thursday. Skibicki showed little emotion.

Hundreds of people in northern Alberta have been ordered to flee their homes because of a wildfire.

Little Red River Cree Nation issued an evacuation order yesterday for the 700 residents of Garden River, a community in Wood Buffalo National Park.

A provincial alert says the community is not in any immediate danger, but there were concerns the fire could cut off access to the only road in.

Officials estimate the wildfire to be about 400 square kilometres in size and say it was caused by lightning.

On Wednesday, July 10, the Grande Prairie Technical Search and Rescue (GPTSR) team held Swiftwater Awareness training at the 17.5 KM Canfor Bridge from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

After the training, they found that essential emergency response items had been stolen, including a swiftwater drysuit, two chest rigs, navigational gear (GPS), and other personal belongings.

On Tuesday an Evacuation Order was issued by the Fort Nelson First Nation for the Kahntah Reserve in Northeastern B.C.

Areas affected include:

-112 km Southeast of IR#2 FNFN

-109 km Northeast of Prophet River

-48 km Northeast of Fontas Reserve

-116 km Southeast of Fort Nelson

Residents and visitors were informed they must leave immediately by boat. 

Firefighting efforts are underway and remain a significant distance away from the Fort Nelson First Nation IR#2 reserve and the settled area Fort Nelson.

A fire ban is now in effect for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta, including the Grande Prairie Forest Area.

All fire permits issued by Alberta’s government are now suspended or cancelled, and no new fire permits will be issued while the ban is in place.

Cities, towns, villages and summer villages, as well as federal lands (such as national parks), are exempt from this ban. These jurisdictions have the authority to issue their own bans and may have complementary bans in place.

First Nations chiefs have heard enough promises and "performative reconciliation," Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Thursday, adding they deserve a partnership based on honest conversations.

It was the first time Poilievre was addressing the Assembly of First Nations, an organization representing more than 600 First Nations that had a tense relationship with the Conservatives when former prime minister Stephen Harper was in power.

The City of Grande Prairie advises that 132 Avenue (Highway 670) between 97B Street and 99 Street will now be open to passenger traffic. The original incident causing the road closure occurred on July 9, 2024, when a CN contractor damaged an Aquatera water main during their work associated with the railway. CN has retained a contractor to complete the waterline and roadway repairs.

The truck route remains closed. Trucks entering the city eastbound are asked to divert to Highway 43.

 Traffic Updates:

The Sandals Resort located on the island of Jamaica had many staff members coming together to worship God during the recent hurricane. 

Hurricane Beryl, recorded as the strongest hurricane ever recorded in July, hit the island of Jamaica on July 3. Winds were gusting up to 140 mph, which meant it moved over the island quite quickly. Before midnight, the eye of the storm had passed through and no deaths have been reported in Jamaica.