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Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Volume 95 - No. 27
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www.ldnews.net
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$1.30 GST inc.
BURNS LAKE
LAKES DISTRICT NEWS
Burns Lake prepares for inquest into mill deaths Hampton Affiliates CEO is expected to testify at the inquest FLAVIO NIENOW The inquest into the Babine Forest Products mill deaths will begin on July 13, 2015, at the Island Gospel Fellowship Hall in Burns Lake. The inquest will examine the circumstances of the deaths that occurred in the explosion at the Babine Forest Products sawmill on Jan. 20, 2012. Robert Luggi Jr., aged 45, and Carl Charlie, aged 42, were both killed in the explosion. Presiding over the inquest will be Chico Newell, Resource Industry Coroner for the B.C. Coroners Service. Newell has special expertise in cases involving deaths in the forest industry, ranging from logging operations to mills. The coroners counsel will be John Orr. Among the people expected to attend the inquest is Robert Luggi Jr.’s wife, Maureen Luggi. Maureen was one of the people lobbying for an inquest to be held in Burns Lake. Steve Zika, Chief Executive Officer of Hampton Affiliates, said he will be attending parts of the inquest. Zika is expected to testify at the inquest in addition to numerous current and former employees. “We are cooperating fully with the coroner’s office in preparation for the inquest, and have turned over to their office all relevant information related to the accident,” said Zika. “Although ...see Inquest ▼ P7
Dragon boating Burns Lake resident Victor Yancovitch, carved a dragon head to be placed on the Village of Burns Lake’s dragon boat, just in time for Canada Day celebrations. Story on page 10. More Canada Day pictures on page 20.
Campfires and fireworks banned
Prohibition will remain in effect until the public is otherwise notified
MICHAEL RIIS-CHRISTIANSON Local residents are bracing themselves for what could be another hot, dry – and some fear, fiery – summer. Unseasonably warm weather resulted in a ban on all open burning throughout the Lakes District last week as provincial officials sought to limit the risk of wildfire. The prohibition, which includes all
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campfires and fireworks, went into effect noon Friday (July 3) for all areas of the province except the “fog zone” on Vancouver Island’s west coast. The use of cooking stoves that burn gas, propane, or briquettes is still permitted, as well as CSA or ULC rated portable campfire apparatus that generate a flame 15 cm or less in length. At present, industrial activities within provincial forests are not affected, although logging companies and others working on Crown land are required to assess the fire hazard in their areas of operation and prevent fire starts. Individuals who fail to observe the current prohibition face stiff penalties. Fire wardens are already patrolling the region, and anyone found in contravention ...see CAMPFIRE BANS ▼ P2
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Summer hours 10am to 3pm, closed for lunch
Phone: 250.692.1700 • Fax: 250.692.1750 • Toll Free: 1.866.692.1943 545 Highway 16 West • PO Box 5000, Burns Lake, BC • V0J 1E0 Email: lksdist@cnc.bc.ca • Website: www.cnc.bc.ca/lakesdistrict