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AUGUST 17, 2015
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Vol. 64, Issue 157
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SAR teams search for missing man C AROLYN GR ANT
Search and Rescue teams from all over the East Kootenay were on the scene in the Findlay Creek area, looking for a Canal Flats man who fell off a bridge while trying to free his stuck vehicle. Kimberley RCMP Cpl. Chris Newel says the search began Friday night but was called off due to dangerous conditions and darkness. “RCMP received a call around midnight of collision on the Skookumchuck Forest Service Road Bridge just off Findlay Creek Forest Service Road,” Newel said. “The driver had failed to negotiate a curve onto the bridge and became high centered on the guardrail.
While attempting to free the vehicle he fell off the bridge into the creek below.” Newel says the man was outside the vehicle trying to push it free when he fell. “BC Ambulance, Canal Flats Fire Dept, RCMP and Search and Rescue teams attended and attempted to locate the male but the search was called off due to dangerous conditions and limited search ability given the darkness and terrain The search resumed early Saturday morning with from Sparwood, Columbia Valley, Golden, Cranbrook and Kimberley.
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Fire season isn’t over yet
46 new fires in southeast region; 29 structures lost in Rock Creek C AROLYN GR ANT
The 2015 fire season, already costing the province over $200 million with 1,604 fires to date, 473 of those in the Southeast region, picked up over the weekend. The Southeast Fire Centre has responded to 46 new fires since Thursday, almost all of which are believed to be lightning-caused. Crews are responding to these new incidents in order of priority, says Fire Information Officer Fanny Bernard, with the protection of life and property being the main objectives. The entire region has been blanketed with smoke since last Thurs-
day. Bernard says the smoke is mainly from fires in Oregon, Idaho and Washington State, but local fires, such as the 600 hectare Mount Midgley fire near Creston may be adding to it. The Mount Midgley fire is burning 13 kilometres northwest of Creston and was discovered Friday, August 14. Bernard says cooler temperatures and some rain helped over the weekend and the fire has not grown too much. The fire is highly visible from Creston, she said, but not threatening homes or communication towers on the mountain.
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CHRIS NEWEL PHOTO
East Kootenay Search and Rescue teams are searching the rugged terrain around Findlay Creek for a missing Canal Flats man.