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SEPTEMBER 1, 2016 | Volume 29 No. 106
OVERDOSE ALERT ISSUED
A summer without a campfire ban
TIM PETRUK
STAFF REPORTER
tim@kamloopsthisweek.com
ANDREA KLASSEN STAFF REPORTER andrea@kamloopsthisweek.com
For the first the first time since 2011, campers in the Kamloops Fire Centre have been able to enjoy singalongs and s’mores around an open flame all summer long. However, fire information officer Max Birkner told KTW, that doesn’t mean a campfire ban isn’t still in the cards for early fall. Birkner noted the fire centre did ban campfires from Sept. 14 to Sept. 22 in 2011. “Just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it won’t happen,” he said. The last year with no campfire ban at all was 2008. Birkner said it’s impossible to predict whether the Kamloops area will see a campfire ban before midOctober, when other fire-related bans are lifted, marking the end of the season. “That would be similar to trying to predict a longterm forecast and it’s hard to predict what the weather would look like in the middle of September,” he said. “If it gets hot enough and if there are some larger fires, then we could put on a fire ban.” Bans are enacted based on weather conditions, the behaviour of existing fires and public compliance with fire-safety rules, such as putting out campfires before leaving a site. Birkner said cooler summer weather has helped bring down the number of hectares burned within the fire centre this year. Where more than 7,300 hectares of land had burned by this time in 2015, only 381 hectares have burned in 2016. For campers who are planning to set up fires over the Labour Day long weekend, Birkner said keeping an eye on the flames is key. “If you’re going camping, just put out the fire when you leave the campsite,” he said. “It’s a really simple thing to do. You just pour water on there and stir it around and make sure it’s completely out before you leave your campsite. That’s basically what we’re asking of people.”
DASHING WITH DAD
DAVE EAGLES/KTW
Three-year-old Ethan runs with dad Julian along the Rivers Trail during a visit to Riverside Park. While the weather was welcoming for the duo, outdoors-loving folks will have to battle the elements this Labour Day long weekend. Environment Canada says rain will dominate, with highs hovering around 20 C.
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Health officials have issued an overdose alert to Kamloops drug users after five reported overdoses — including one fatality — in 48 hours. The Interior Health Authority issued the alert on Wednesday afternoon, noting each of the overdoses appears to be connected to a sparkly white powder officials believe is being sold by drug dealers as cocaine. The alert pointed out drug abstinence is the safest way to avoid overdoses, but offered several tips for drug users, including not mixing drugs, not using drugs alone and not experimenting with higher doses. The alert also recommended keeping a close eye on friends while using drugs, carrying a naloxone kit and being able to recognize the signs of an overdose. “If someone thinks they may be having an overdose or is witnessing an overdose, call 911 immediately,” the alert stated.
The alert was issued on International Overdose Awareness Day as many B.C. health leaders rallied in Vancouver to bring more attention to the issue. In Kamloops, a candlelight vigil was held last night in Riverside Park. The IHA alert did not list fentanyl by name, but the potent opioid has been linked to a recent spike in overdoses in B.C. After a provincial public health crisis was declared in April, a provincial joint task force was formed to address the rising numbers of overdose deaths. A recent coroner’s service report revealed 433 apparent illicit drug overdose deaths in B.C. between Jan. 1 and July 31, with more than 62 per cent linked to fentanyl-laced drugs. Through the first half of this year, there were 22 overdose deaths in Kamloops, compared to seven such deaths in the city through the first six months of 2015. Of those 22 deaths, eight involved use of fentanyl.
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