AUGUST 2025 BUZZ | nanaimonet.com

Aug. 21, 2025 – A collection of today's headlines from local news media.

250806

Cameron Lake wildfire continues to grow

The Wesley Ridge wildfire grew by about 27 hectares yesterday. Hundreds of nearby residents remain under evacuation orders and alerts.The BC Wildfire Service said on Tuesday night the wildfire on the north side of Cameron Lake grew to 538 hectares, up from 511 the day before. More 200 firefighting personnel are responding to the wildfire, as well as seven helicopters and eight pieces of heavy equipment – while local fire departments, including the Dashwood and Coombs fire departments, are assisting with structure protection. Crews made good progress on improving containment to protect residences, properties, the Highway 4 corridor and critical infrastructure.

Nanaimo RCMP seek help to identify a suspect who is reported to have punched and kicked his German Shepherd. It happened in the 200 block Selby St. on July 27. The witness called out to the man, telling him to stop, and the man came toward the witness aggressively, demanding to see his phone. The witness told the man he wasn't recording the interaction, which helped de-escalate the situation. The man and the dog walked away. The police are requesting that anyone with information about the male or the dog, Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line (250)754-2345, reference file 25-23755. MORE

We found out earlier this year that the Snowbirds will return to Nanaimo, and now we have the details of their program. It’s been six years since they last performed here. An evening show is planned for Aug. 15 between 7 and 7:45 p.m. There will be a daytime performance on Saturday from 4:15 to 5 p.m. above downtown the waterfront.That will bring some temporary closures starting at noon on Aug. 15 along the waterfront, including the walking and fishing pier at Maffeo Sutton Park, as well as surrounding harbour waters.

Your travel plans may be grounded after Air Canada flight attendants vote almost unanimously to hit the bricks. That could lead to thousands of cancelled flights. Their union said the vote result reflects its members’ deep frustration after months of stalled negotiations toward a new contract. MORE

This may be many times removed for our local environment, but Chinese authorities are using nets, spraying insecticide and even deploying drones to fight the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, which has infected thousands of people. More than 7,000 cases of the virus have been reported, mostly in the southern Chinese manufacturing hub of Foshan, 170 kmfrom Hong Kong. The number of new cases appears to be dropping slowly, according to authorities.

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250804

Evacuations remain for Wesley Ridge wildfire

Evacuation orders and alerts remain for the Wesley Ridge wildfire north of Cameron Lake. Protecting homes is the top objective for firefighters in and around Qualicum River Village and Park. The BC Wildfire Service said they are happy with the resources they have and have additional ones coming. Spot fires may have occurred within different areas. The fire is mapped at 494 ha. MORE

British Columbians can be generous to a fault. Case in point, the wildfire burning out of control on the north side of Cameron Lake. Douglas Holmes, RDN director of emergency operations centre, said 393 residents were under an evacuation order, and 238 were under evacuation alert. He added evacuations were going smoothly. Many people have been trying to donate to the relief centre, but stand by. The have no way of accepting aid right now. The Wesley Ridge wildfire was 389 by noon Sunday. Fire Information Officer Madison Dahl said they have 142 personnel, including 65 firefighters, seven pieces of heavy equipment, seven helicopters and multiple air tankers and skimmers providing a 24-hour response. Two helicopters with night vision technology are working throughout the night MORE.

Travellers on Hwy 4 to Port Alberni are cautioned about sudden changes in operation of Highway 4. Traffic-control personnel are on duty on Highway 4 at the Summit for eastbound traffic and Chatsworth Road for westbound traffic. That will allow the ministry to respond quickly to a change in traffic flow if it is needed by the BC Wildfire Service as it battles the Wesley Creek blaze north of Cameron Lake. Travellers should plan for extra time as any changes may cause delays. For up-to-date information about road conditions, visit: www.drivebc.ca/

Two people were seriously injured and rushed to hospital in a crash Saturday evening on the Island Highway near Timberlands Road. Three ground ambulances and an air ambulance rushed to the scene. One person was taken to hospital in serious condition, while the other was believed to be in serious but stable condition. MORE

A cyclist was shoved into an oncoming traffic lane by a motorcyclist, Saturday evening causing him to crash into the opposite curb. A video shows the man riding a bicycle with an attached trailer attempting to make a left turn near the corner of Departure Bay Road and Granite Park Avenue around 8 p.m. The video shows three motorcyclists going past the cyclist on his right, with the lead rider appearing to intentionally push the man. The motorcyclists sped away without stopping as one made made an obscene gesture as he fled. MORE

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250803

More evacuations ordered

for Wesley Ridge wildfire

The out-of-control Wesley Ridge wildfire has more than doubled to 389 hectares since Saturday night. The Regional District of Nanaimo expanded its evacuation orders and alerts to more properties in the Little Qualicum River Village. Between noon and 4:40 p.m. Saturday, the number of properties on evacuation order grew to 393 from 191. Meanwhile the number of properties on evacuation alert remained at 238. See the full list of affected properties here. More than 35,000 lightning strikes were recorded across the province since Wednesday. MORE

A 4.0 magnitude earthquake hit just west of Haida Gwaii. It struck Sunday around 6:20 a.m. There are no reports of damage, and at a that magnitude, none would be expected. MORE

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250802

Cameron Lake wildfire evacuations expanded

The Wesley Ridge wildfire near Cameron Lake has grown to 245 hectares, burning north-easterly toward homes and other infrastructure in the Oceanside area VIDEO. The main focus on the ground and in the air is preventing flames from getting closer to homes. Coastal Fire Centre information officer Christi Howes said the primary focus is the northeast corner, which has been trending toward the Little Qualicum River Estates area. More than 75 firefighters and other resources are on site again today, including five helicopters, tankers and skimmers working from the air. Heavy equipment and structural protection teams are on site long with local volunteer fire departments focused on areas where flames could threaten homes. MORE

Return to Sender, uncertainty rrules the day after unionized Canada Post workers rejected the latest contract offer. The offer included wage hikes of about 13 per cent over four years but also added part-time workers that Canada Post has said are necessary to keep the postal service afloat. MORE

Travellers to the Lower Mainland who don’t have ferry reservations better start looking for alternate things to do this B.C. Day weekend. BC Ferries sailing are jammed to the rafters. Ferries issued a notification Friday afternoon that all vehicle space on the Departure Bay – Horseshoe Bay route were full. Preliminary estimated show a five-per-cent increase in vehicle traffic on the four major routes linking Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland, about 3,000 extra vehicles and 10 per cent more foot passengers – about 8,000 people. MORE

You’ve got to stoop pretty low to steal from the food bank. Loaves and Fishes Food Bank has installed security cameras to keep an eye on their vehicles for fuel theft. For example, a black pickup truck with a burned tail light, parked next to a Food Bank delivery truck and someone siphoned more than 100 litres of fuel from the truck and took off. Executive director Peter Sinclair says thieves need to know they are being caught in the act. MORE

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250801

Report of body rolled

in carpet proves false

Someone was watching too many movies. RCMP responded to what turned out to be a false report of a body inside a rolled-up carpet. RCMP responded to a report in mid-July of a man walking along Pine Street and carrying a rolled-up carpet "with bloody feet sticking out of it." Mounties responded quickly but didn't find evidence of anything rolled up inside the carpet. Officers followed up with the complainant, who was found to be extremely intoxicated.

A local state of emergency has been declared and an evacuation order issued for an out-of-control wildfire burning on Wesley Ridge near Cameron Lake. The fire had burned about 60 hectares by the afternoon. The Nanaimo Regional District issued an order to evacuate the area following recommendation of the B.C. Wildfire Service, declaring the fire a significant threat to the health, safety and welfare in the region. RCMP will enforce the evacuation order in the area, which includes homes along Chalet Road and Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park.MORE

There’s good news, if that’s possible on the toxic drug scene the number of deaths is falling across our region. The BC Coroners Service reports 32 people lost their lives to drugs in the first six months of the year. There were 77 similar deaths for the full central Vancouver Island region. Those numbers are well below records set in 2023 which saw 114 fatalities in Nanaimo and 217 across the central Island. In the first half of this year, Island Health reported 163 fatalities, led by Victoria. MORE.

There’s no such thing as a novelty toy gun in the eyes of front line police. Police responded to the waterfront July 21 when a man was seen sitting on the Harbourfront Walkway with what appeared to be a handgun. It turned out to resemble a lighter. As it turned out, the man had an outstanding arrest warrant from Oceanside, enfing with police tking him into custody. MORE

Telus plans to install a pair of 15.7-metre streetlight/antenna monopoles along Shepherd Avenue in Harewood. City council recently approved the a license agreement at a special council meeting. Coun. Ben Geselbracht was the lone opponent, saying he had heard from community members about these towers. “I haven’t really heard a lot of complaints around that particular area and need for these, so I’m having difficulties supporting.” MORE

Some Regional District residents are having to stay away from lawn watering taps due to the dry weather and lack of rain. Lawn watering is banned for a number of areas. The Nanoose Bay Peninsula, as well as the Decourcey water service area south of Nanaimo, entered into Stage 4 restrictions today, prohibiting lawn watering and driveway and sidewalk washing. You can’t fill pools, hot tubs and garden ponds will not be allowed either. Lantzville entered into Stage 4 in early July. Vegetable gardens and fruit trees may be watered and drip irrigation is allowed between 7-10 a.m. or 7-10 p.m. MORE

Federal funding for drug injection sites has run out but that isn’t stopping the B.C. government from dispensing drugs. Despite prescribed alternatives are being diverted to the street drug supply, the B.C. government is keeping five safer supply programs operating for another year. Health Canada funded $126 million through its Substance Use and Addictions Program on 31 pilot projects across the country that were designed to evaluate approaches for providing “prescribed alternatives” in response to the toxic drug and overdose crisis. Five of the programs are in B.C., according to the B.C. Three projects in the Vancouver Island Health Authority in Nanaimo, Victoria and the North Island remain operational

Here’s a deal you shouldn’t pass up. The city’s tree voucher program is back, so you can buy a $25 voucher for a new tree. The city opened applications on its website through the eApply portal. Homeowners can buy vouchers for up to two trees per year. A $25 voucher can be redeemed for a tree costing up to $90. You can get deciduous, evergreen, coniferous or fruit and nut trees. Hedges, palm trees, invasives, dwarf trees, shrubs, annuals, perennials, standards, weeping varieties, espalier varieties and other garden products are not accepted. MORE

Dickinson Road will be closed for part of this month as contractors replace a culvert. The work, west of Jacks Road, includes the removal of the corrugated steel pipe culvert, installing a concrete box culvert and restoring the road surface. Lantzville public works director Glenn Morphy said the culvert has completely failed and the asphalt will be repaired as well. A traffic management plan will be made available before construction starts. MORE

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250731

Man lying on street

killed by motorcycle

A 25-year-old Nanaimo man was hit and killed by a motorcycle after reportedly lying on the roadway on George Street. R/Const Gary O’Brien said it was confirmed by a witness the victim was seen on the road when he was struck by a vehicle. The driver remained at the scene and co-operated with investigators. Drugs and alcohol were ruled out as contributing factors on the part of the motorcyclist. The B.C. Coroners Service attended and the road was closed for several hours while investigators examined the scene. The investigation is continuing. MORE

Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum Beach are under an extreme fire danger rating, indicating the area has extremely dry forest fuels and the fire risk is very serious. Julia Caranci of the Coastal Fire Centre information officer said the fire situation becomes more challenging each day without rainfall. “We have a higher and higher chance of that when fires start, they can grow more quickly. That is the relationship between fire danger and wildfires, is that in a higher extreme fire danger, a fire that starts is more likely to spread quickly.” MORE

A new fire has been reported along Cameron Lake. Flames were spotted this morning along the northern shoreline and bank of the lake. Latest assessments from the Coastal Fire Centre indicate the fire is around 15 hectares in size and is classified as burning out of control. Further updates are expected throughout the day as more crews arrive on scene. MORE

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Things should not happen this way

Mother Nature can be

such a cruel wench