Jello Jump lures more than 300 spectators Alberni Region, Page 3
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Monday, August 17, 2015
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ENVIRONMENT
Small beach fire set south of Port Careless beach users spark blaze, ignore city ban KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Rock ‘n’ Shaker The band Illvis Freshly rocked the stage Friday night at the Five Acre Shaker. Story on Page 3. [SUPPLIED PHOTO]
REGION
ACRD re-opens some trails for public; dry conditions continue KRISTI DOBSON ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES
Last week the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District re-opened parks and trails for public use, but nearby trails remain closed due to continued dry conditions. The board made the decision last Wednesday to open the Log Train Trail and Alberni Inlet Trail to public use. The ACRD announced closure of those two local trails near the beginning of July. This announcement marks the first opening. “The fire hazard rating is moderate, it is forecast to increase in the next few days but decrease over the weekend,” ACRD CAO Russel Dyson wrote in a request for decision. The regional district cau-
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DYSON
tions users to be conscientious and take precautions regarding fire safety. Other trails on the Island continue to have locked gates. The Regional District of Nanaimo follows instruc-
tions from landowners Island Timberlands and Timber West for some area trails, and as such, the Arrowsmith CPR trail and the stretch of the Trans-Canada Trail from Cowichan to Nanaimo remain closed. “They will likely stay closed until the end of the fire season,” said Joan Michel, RDN parks and trails coordinator. “They are on private land so we have to abide by the landowners’ requests.” The RDN has not had to close its local trails. “Generally speaking, people using the trails are good,” Michel said. “They are the eyes out there and help report anything. They also come in by foot, not vehicles, and that is usually where the trouble comes.”
Gates to Island Timberlands’ land within the Valley were recently opened to public access, however. “We are grateful for the access to the private lands and value that relationship greatly,” Michel said. Wendy Thomson, manager of administrative services for the ACRD, said the regional district posted signs on affected trails, as well as posted notices on its website and in the local newspapers. “They could consider closing them again, but it depends if the dry conditions continue,” said Thomson. Thomson advises to keep a watch for public information through the season. Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net 250-723-8171
Controversy surrounds black bear rehabilitation
Alberni wrestlers win gold, silver for Team BC
For the past 20 years, the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre has been rehabilitating black bears on Vancouver Island. » Community, Page 5
Wrestlers Aaron Badovinac and Seth Price travelled with the 22-member Team BC to compete in the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games. » Sports, Page 6
A small beach fire was sparked near Polly’s Point in the early hours of Friday morning. The result of beach users ignoring the current fire ban could have been much worse, according to officials. Reports of the fire were called in to both the Port Alberni Fire Department and Coastal Fire Centre. “We had a call come in at 2:30 a.m.,” said Randy Thoen, Port Alberni’s chief fire prevention officer. “We were requested by Coastal Fire Centre to attend.” When crews arrived, a resident identified the best route for firefighters to access the beach. The fire was extinguished with portable pumps and forestry hand tools. “After it was extinguished, we checked for anything underground,” Thoen said. The crew was on scene for approximately two hours. Coastal Fire Centre reported the fire as fairly small, measuring three by three metres. Thoen asks that the public be aware of the dry conditions. “Even with the recent moisture we are still under a fire ban,” he said. “We ask people to respect it and not to have outdoor fires even if they are near the water and think it is safe. We are still extremely dry as evidenced by some of the small fires in the regional area.” Thoen reminds anyone who sees a fire to report it to 911 and an operator will direct it to the appropriate department. Kristi.Dobson@avtimes.net 250-723-8171 » We want to hear from you. Send comments on this story to letters@ avtimes.net. Letters must include daytime phone number and hometown.
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ALBERNI VALLEY TIMES VOLUME 66, NUMBER 156
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