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109th Year - Week 1 •
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
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An ice jam on the Bulkley River in Smithers pushes up water levels, with one couple deciding to leave their Twenty Second Avenue home after water and ice creeps on to their property and threatens to block access in and out. Smithers firefighters [inset] help them and their pets make an organized evacuation and assess the precarious situation.
Chris Gareau photos
Bulkey River ice jam By Chris Gareau Smithers/Interior News
Homeowners are busy pumping water from crawl spaces and basements near the Bulkley River and one couple decided to evacuate their home after a large ice jam formed on Christmas weekend. Smithers firefighters geared up in dry suits and RCMP responded to a call about the rising water. They left after assessing the situation and giving Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako contact information to the couple, who are staying with friends. Ice and water crept up properties along the riverbank, covering backyards and threatening access to homes as it drove up roads on Ebenezer Flats. The province said the cold temperatures mean the ice jam will likely continue to grow, causing water levels to fluctuate with the freezing. The Regional District of Bulkley
Nechako has been warning people to stay away from the river after the ice jam formed downstream of Dohler Flats. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said the jam was 17 kilometres long. Ministry staff is monitoring the situation and will alert the District if it needs to call an evacuation. Information on how to prepare for a sudden evacuation is available on the District website at www.rdbn.bc.ca. Ice jams on the Bulkley River are not all that uncommon, but Coun. Phil Brienesse, who lives near the river, says jams in December and January are very unusual. “It seems to be happening a little more often in the winter ... It’s an unusual occurrence at this time of the year,” said Brienesse. He said the east side of the river where he lives is mostly OK, with the west side taking the brunt of the minor flooding as of Monday’s press deadline.
IT’S A GIRL! Big brother Tyson, 2, and parents Jesse and Jamie welcomed Bulkley Valley New Year’s baby Kaylee Margaret de Jong at 11:32 a.m. Jan. 1st, 2016 at Bulkley Valley District Hospital in Smithers. The Telkwa girl came into the world at nine pounds three ounces and 22 inches long.
A LOOK AT JULY TO DECEMBER 2015 The second half of our year in review covers headlines in news, sports and art.
LNG POISED FOR MONUMENTAL YEAR Minister of Natural Gas Development Rich Coleman makes his case on LNG.
MOUNTIE MOUNTS FUNDING CAMPAIGN Smithers Sgt. Shaun Begg is helping Syrian refugees with ‘most Canadian photo.’
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