B.C.'s 2021 wildfires severe but not the worst ever, wildfire service report shows
VANCOUVER -
British Columbia's 2021 wildfire season saw the destruction of the village of Lytton and homes levelled in several other Interior regions, but the BC Wildfire Service says it was not the worst season on record.
A 2021 wildfire summary says about $565 million was spent in the “tremendously challenging” period between April 1 and Sept. 30, when 1,610 wildfires charred 8,682 square kilometres, mainly in southern and southeastern B.C.
The service report says at the height of the fires, the daily number of active blazes was over 300, triggering 181 evacuation orders and 304 evacuation alerts.
A provincial state of emergency was declared on July 21 and wasn't lifted until Sept. 14.
Total firefighting costs for the year could grow because the season doesn't officially end until next March, but the report says the figure won't surpass the $649 million spent in 2017, B.C.'s worst fire season, when 12,000 square kilometres of land burned.
The wildfire service report says drought-like conditions over southern B.C., coupled with record-breaking extreme heat and severe lightning storms, helped spark as many as 40 new fires every day in July.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Trump open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada as a state
"Canada and the United States, that would really be something," said U.S. president-elect Donald Trump during a Mar-a-Lago press conference on Tuesday. 'You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like.'
Trump refuses to rule out use of military force to take control of Greenland and the Panama Canal
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would not rule out the use of military force to seize control of the Panama Canal and Greenland, as he declared U.S. control of both to be vital to American national security.
As walking pneumonia rates drop among Canadian children, flu and RSV are back
Following a sharp rise, cases of walking pneumonia across Canada, particularly among children, seem to be dropping.
CRA to continue with capital tax changes despite prorogation: finance department
The federal government says the Canada Revenue Agency will continue to administer the capital gains tax, even though it hasn't passed in Parliament, which is prorogued until March 24.
Justin Trudeau's set to go after the Liberals pick his replacement, what now?
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, announcing Monday that he intends to resign as Liberal leader and prime minister as soon as his party names his replacement, has set a series of political machinations in motion.
Aubrey Plaza addresses 'unimaginable tragedy' of losing her husband
Aubrey Plaza has shared her first statement since the death of her husband, writer and director Jeff Baena.
2 sons of Mexican cartel leader 'El Chapo' are in plea negotiations with U.S., attorneys say
Two sons of notorious Mexican drug kingpin 'El Chapo' facing sweeping drug-trafficking charges in the U.S. are in plea negotiations with the federal government, attorneys acknowledged Tuesday in a Chicago courtroom.
Bank CEOs see mortgage risk easing as attention turns to political uncertainty
Canadian bank CEOs say they see the risks around mortgage renewals easing, while they prepare for rising risks around tariffs and political uncertainty.
Walmart's version of the Hermes Birkin has taken over the internet
Budget-conscious buyers looking for luxury alternatives have flocked to Walmart's Birkin bag look-alike, nicknamed the 'Wirkin.'
Vancouver Island
-
'Aggressive cougar' closes popular Vancouver Island hiking trail
Authorities have ordered the closure of a popular hiking trail on Vancouver Island due to the presence of an 'aggressive cougar.'
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Trump open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada as a state
"Canada and the United States, that would really be something," said U.S. president-elect Donald Trump during a Mar-a-Lago press conference on Tuesday. 'You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like.'
-
Support for federal Conservatives on the rise in B.C.: new poll
We’re learning more about how British Columbians plan to vote in the next federal election following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s bombshell resignation.
Kelowna
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
-
Charges laid after child porn investigation that 'spanned several different countries,' Kelowna RCMP say
Police in Kelowna say an international investigation has led to child pornography charges against a 46-year-old man.
Edmonton
-
Justin Trudeau steps down as Liberal leader. Who are the top contenders to replace him?
With Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation as Liberal party leader, several well-known political faces may be waiting in the wings for their opportunity to take his place.
-
Alberta faces potential short-term gain, long-term pain after Trudeau quits as prime minister
Justin Trudeau's resignation as Canada's prime minister and leader of the Liberal party should benefit the province in the short term, but long-term, the importance of free trade should be central to any Albertan or Canadian effort to sway U.S. opinion with the spectre of potentially crushing tariffs looming, pundits say.
-
Citywide residential parking ban now in effect
Phase 2 of the city’s parking ban began at 7 a.m. Tuesday morning for snow clearing in residential neighbourhoods.
Calgary
-
Busy Bow River Valley trails impacting lives of grizzly bears and wolves
Grizzly bears and wolves, the largest carnivores in Canada's mountain parks, are moving away from their natural habitat by increased human activity, new research suggests.
-
Cellphone connected to Lethbridge homicide may have been thrown into truck bed: police
Lethbridge police are searching for a cellphone they believe is linked to a homicide in the city in late December.
-
Skijoring and snow sculptures: SnowDays Festival returns to Banff, Lake Louise
Banff and Lake Louise are preparing to once again host SnowDays, an annual festival celebrating mountain culture and Canadian sports.
Lethbridge
-
Lethbridge leaders, political experts react to Trudeau resignation
Following Monday's announcement that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is stepping down as Liberal leader, political experts in Lethbridge say it was a matter of time before he'd resign.
-
City of Lethbridge seeks public input into River Valley heritage sites
The City of Lethbridge is seeking public input for its River Valley heritage sites.
-
Oil Kings jump out to quick start as they beat Hurricanes 5-2 in Edmonton
The Edmonton Oil Kings came roaring out of the gate Saturday night against the Lethbridge Hurricanes, building a 2-0 first-period lead en route to a 5-2 win.
Winnipeg
-
Winnipeg police holiday checkstop program ends with nearly 4,000 vehicles stopped
Nearly 4,000 vehicles were stopped by Winnipeg police over the last four weeks as part of its holiday checkstop program.
-
High-risk offender released, expected to live in Winnipeg
Winnipeg police are warning the public that a high-risk offender has been released from jail and is expected to live in Winnipeg.
-
Vacant Winnipeg church goes up in flames
Freezing temperatures created challenging conditions as crews battled a blaze at a vacant church on Monday.
Regina
-
Sask. man who withheld daughter to prevent COVID vaccination appeals conviction
A Saskatchewan father who was found guilty of withholding his daughter in contravention of a custody order is appealing his conviction.
-
Regina police lay murder charge in connection with December homicide
Regina police say a 21-year-old man has been charged with second degree murder in connection to a homicide that took place on Dec.3.
-
Regina saw a record number home sales in 2024, report says
Above average home sales throughout 2024 translated into a record year for Regina that saw nearly 4,000 sales made.
Saskatoon
-
'A big concern': More Saskatoon kids are getting involved in violent crimes, police chief says
More kids are getting involved in violent crimes, according to Saskatoon Police Chief Cam McBride.
-
These 90-year-old identical twins were born on a Saskatchewan farm, but grew to love the city
Rose Worona and Anne Skwarchuk were born in 1935 on a farm near Hafford. Now, they’re celebrating their 90th birthday together.
-
Judge condemns murder trial delay, asks lawyers to 'turn around' and look at the public 'we serve'
A Saskatoon murder trial opened on Monday with the judge sharply criticizing the time it’s taken to get to trial.
Toronto
-
'Money we don't have to spare': Spoofed website causes Toronto man to lose $100K
A Toronto man says he lost $100,000 in a matter of minutes after falling victim to a website spoof scam.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Trump open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada as a state
"Canada and the United States, that would really be something," said U.S. president-elect Donald Trump during a Mar-a-Lago press conference on Tuesday. 'You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like.'
-
2 suspects in custody after carjacking in North York: police
Toronto police say two arrests have been made in connection with a carjacking investigation in North York.
Montreal
-
Cargo ship stuck in St. Lawrence River for two weeks refloated on Tuesday
A ship that had been stuck in the St. Lawrence River northeast of Montreal since Christmas Eve was successfully refloated on Tuesday.
-
CSN wants transparency after layoffs at Amazon's Laval warehouse
The union representing workers at Amazon's Laval, Que. warehouse is claiming that at least 30 people have just learned that they will be losing their jobs.
-
Health authorities advise caution as flu season intensifies
Quebec's Health and Social Service Ministry says the influenza season is intensifying while cases of the common cold are stabilizing. However, the situation could change rapidly as students gradually return to school this week.
Ottawa
-
Homeless man found 'frozen to death' in downtown Ottawa, councillor says
Somerset ward councillor Ariel Troster says she's "devastated" after a man sleeping in the streets of downtown Ottawa was found "frozen to death" on Monday.
-
Ford not focused on Ontario snap election amid U.S. tariff threat, federal turmoil
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said he's focused on fighting a proposed tariff threat from incoming U.S. president Donald Trump, not an early snap election, amid ongoing turmoil political on Parliament Hill.
-
DEVELOPING
DEVELOPING Trump open to using 'economic force' to acquire Canada as a state
"Canada and the United States, that would really be something," said U.S. president-elect Donald Trump during a Mar-a-Lago press conference on Tuesday. 'You get rid of that artificially drawn line, and you take a look at what that looks like.'
Atlantic
-
Halifax murder trial: Eyewitness describes fatal stabbing of 16-year-old boy
The murder trial for a Halifax-area youth accused of participating in the killing of a 16-year-old student last year heard today from an eyewitness to the fatal stabbing.
-
Man struck in Dartmouth crosswalk dies in hospital: police
Police say a 72-year-old pedestrian who was struck by a vehicle in Dartmouth, N.S., Monday morning has died.
-
As walking pneumonia rates drop among Canadian children, flu and RSV are back
Following a sharp rise, cases of walking pneumonia across Canada, particularly among children, seem to be dropping.
London
-
Police identify body found on Waneeta Beach
OPP in Elgin County have confirmed the identify of the body found along the Lake Erie shoreline.
-
One person arrested in connection to suspicious death in north London
Police have arrested a man in connection to a suspicious death investigation that took place in the north end of the city.
-
Snow squall watch in effect for London area
We’re in for a brisk start to the week, set to continue for the foreseeable future.
Kitchener
-
Waterloo Regional Police Service helps recover 20 stolen vehicles in Hamilton, Ont.
Waterloo Regional Police Services helped recover 20 stolen vehicles in Hamilton, Ont.
-
Ontario launches border-strengthening operation as Trump tariff threat looms
The Ontario government says it has launched an operation intended to beef up security along the border with the United States.
-
Canada could see a wave of mortgage renewals in 2025. Here is how some homeowners plan to navigate the payment shock.
At least 1.2 million Canadians are facing a mortgage renewal in 2025, and 85 per cent of those existing home loans were contracted when the Bank of Canada’s interest rate was at or below one per cent. Here's how some homeowners are planning to navigate the increased payments.
Northern Ontario
-
Fatal crash between pickup, train in northern Ontario
The driver of a pickup truck has died following a collision with a train in northern Ontario on Tuesday morning.
-
Snowmobile driver suffers life-altering injuries in New Year's Eve crash
Ontario Provincial Police are investigating a northern snowmobile crash that sent a man to hospital with life-altering injuries on New Year's Eve.
-
Hwy. 17 traffic complaint leads to impaired, other charges
Provincial police have charged a 33-year-old man from Gravenhurst after another motorist reported a possible impaired driver.
N.L.
-
Newfoundland and Labrador energy deal with Quebec under scrutiny as debate opens
Newfoundland and Labrador politicians are digging into the details of the province's draft energy deal with Quebec as four days of debate begin today in St. John's, N.L.
-
Part of street washed away and state of emergency declared in N.L. town after storm
Damaging winds and pounding surf that washed away part of a street in a small northeastern town in Newfoundland on Sunday triggered a state of emergency in the coastal community.
-
Newfoundland residents seek answers, assurance as Quebec energy deal heads for debate
About 50 people gathered in a St. John's, N.L., gymnasium on a recent rainy night to seek answers about a massive energy deal with Hydro-Quebec trumpeted by the Newfoundland and Labrador government as a new chapter in the province's history.
