Off-road vehicles restricted in backcountry

While it seems like common sense during an extreme fire status, use of motorized vehicles and equipment in dry grass is extremely risky. Last weekend we witnessed someone riding a motorcycle up and down the Lac Le Jeune ski hill. Thankfully, this type of activity is now officially banned. 

Residents, please do not hesitate to call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277 to report any motorized off-road activity.  

====================================NEWS RELEASE==============================

8/4/2017 11:00 AM

KAMLOOPS - Effective at noon (Pacific time) on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017, the operation of any off-road vehicle for recreational purposes on Crown land will be prohibited throughout the Cariboo Fire Centre, Kamloops Fire Centre and Southeast Fire Centre. In addition, all on-highway vehicles must remain on defined road surfaces. This step is being taken to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety. The operation of any off-road vehicles in these regions during the current wildfire situation creates a potential wildfire risk. While jeeps, trucks and other on-highway vehicles are permitted on designated roads, they are not allowed off-road. The prohibition of off-road vehicles and on-highway vehicles does not apply to private lands or national parks. It also does not apply to emergency responders or to agriculture or commercial/ industrial users who operate vehicles for farming, emergency response or business purposes. A map of the affected areas is available online at: http://ow.ly/QTm330e9G5n August is traditionally the most active part of the wildfire season. Given the number of fires currently burning in B.C., the elevated fire danger ratings and the extremely dry conditions in many parts of the province, the BC Wildfire Service is strongly urging British Columbians and visitors to stay out of the backcountry in these regions. The BC Wildfire Service is continually monitoring conditions and this prohibition may be expanded or rescinded as needed. In addition, the public is reminded that almost all provincial parks and all recreation sites and trails within the Cariboo Fire Centre are closed due to wildfire risk. The travelling public should visit "safety tips for B.C. travellers" at: www.bcwildfire.ca Anyone found in contravention of this off-road vehicle prohibition may be issued a violation ticket in the amount of $767. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs. To report an off-road violation, call the RAPP line at: 1 877 952-7277. ~ posted by Sylvia Currie ~

Plastic bags are no longer accepted in mixed recycling

News release: PDF

Plastic Bags Will Have to be Separated From Recyclables tnrd.ca For Immediate Release (July 28/17):

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District’s mixed recycling program will be undergoing a small change — starting Sept. 5, the TNRD will no longer be able to accept plastic bags in with mixed recycling.

Because recycling recovery facilities throughout B.C. have changed to meet new standards, these facilities are no longer able to process plastic bags in mixed recycling loads.

Plastic bags can still been taken to any TNRD Eco-Depot or Transfer Station to be recycled separately. Residents should also check to see if their grocery store has a plastic bag “take back” program, or inquire at their local bottle depot for recycling options.

There are also many ways to reuse plastic bags, such as garbage bags in vehicles or smaller garbage cans, or as padding in parcels and packages. They are also handy when cleaning up after pets.

If bags can’t be reused or recycled, they can be disposed of in household garbage.

Agenda: Lac Le Jeune Conservation Association AGM

This agenda is also available for download from our LLJCA Files Section. Here is a direct link to the document.

LAC LE JEUNE

CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

When: Sunday August 13, 2017, 11:00 – 12:00
Where: Lac Le Jeune Provincial Park Day Area Shelter
There will be a BBQ lunch to follow for LLJCA families and guests


UPDATE: Due to the extreme fire danger rating and smoke in the area, we will keep the outdoor meeting short and there will be no BBQ.

AGENDA

1. Adoption of minutes from the 2016 AGM
2. RCMP report – Cpl TBA
3. Treasurer's Report – Leyla Johnson
4. KGHM/AJAX Community Advisory Group – Corinne Schock
5. Water Monitoring Program – Marge Sidney MOE, Hugh Burton 
6. Fisheries Stocking Program – Hugh Burton
7. Invasive Plant Program – Dr. Catherine Tarasoff 
8. Nuisance Mosquito program – TBA
9. Fire Safe Community – Clay Govett
10. TNRD area J representative – Ronaye Elliot 
11. BC Parks – Michelle Weibe
12. Kamloops Bike Riders Association – Paul Berry (tentative) 
13. LLJ Community phone list – Steve Roy
14. Elections
15. Other business 

Air quality in Lac Le Jeune

Air quality is a concern during wildfire season. Did you know there is a monitor in Lac Le Jeune? The installation of a PurpleAir monitor was a collaborative effort by Amie Schellenberg, and Dr. Michael Mehta, Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at Thompson Rivers University with a research interest in air quality. 

This is a reading from July 17, 2017. As you can see, the reading was 'very unhealthy'. No jogging! 

~ posted by Sylvia Currie ~

News Release: Provincial State of Emergency Declared. July 7, 2017

Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Emergency Management BC, this evening announced a provincial state of emergency to ensure a co-ordinated response to the current wildfire situation and to ensure public safety.

Today alone there have been 56 new wildfire starts throughout the province. Evacuation alerts and orders have been issued for Ashcroft, Cache Creek and Princeton. These are in addition to the evacuation orders and alerts issued yesterday for 105 Mile House and 108 Mile House. The extended weather forecast is calling for continued hot, dry weather, with risks of thunderstorms in many parts of the province.

Given the current wildfire situation and the expected increase in wildfire activity, the Province is taking this extraordinary measure of declaring a provincial state of emergency.

This is an urgent situation and public safety is the top priority. The Province will continue to keep the public informed in this rapidly evolving situation.

The state of emergency gives agencies such as Emergency Management BC, the Fire Commissioner, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and the RCMP authority under the Emergency Program Act to take every action necessary to fight these wildfires and protect residents and their communities.

Background

Declarations of provincial states of emergency are issued by the minister responsible under the Emergency Program Act. The last provincial declaration of state of emergency was issued in August 2003 to deal with wildfires.

Learn More:

For information on evacuation orders and alerts, visit Emergency Info BC: https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/

Keep up-to-date on the provincial wildfire situation: www.bcwildfire.ca

News Release: Campfire Ban

See map (PDF) 

Campfires to be banned within the Kamloops Fire Centre

7/7/2017 12:19 PM
KAMLOOPS - Effective at noon on Friday, July 7, 2017, campfires are prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre to help prevent human-caused wildfires and protect public safety.

This campfire ban will remain in place until the public is otherwise notified.

The Kamloops Fire Centre is currently experiencing hot and dry conditions and fire danger ratings are generally "high" or "extreme" throughout the fire centre. Prohibitions on Category 2 and Category 3 open fires are already in effect throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.

To learn about the differences between campfires, Category 2 open fires and Category 3 open fires, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/wildfirebans - or review the open fire regulations poster at: www.gov.bc.ca/openfireregs

Specifically, prohibited activities once the campfire ban takes effect will include:

• campfires, as defined in the wildfire regulation: www.gov.bc.ca/wildfirelegislation
• the burning of waste or other materials
• stubble or grass fires of any size over any area
• the use of fireworks, sky lanterns, tiki torches, chimineas, burning barrels or burning cages of any size or description
• the use of binary exploding targets (e.g., for target practice)
• the use of air curtain burners (forced air burning systems)

These prohibitions do not apply to cooking stoves that use gas, propane or briquettes, or to a portable campfire apparatus with a CSA or ULC rating that uses briquettes, liquid or gaseous fuel - as long as the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres. The use of a campfire apparatus that does not meet these specifications is prohibited.

These prohibitions cover all BC Parks, Crown lands and private lands, but do not apply within the boundaries of a local government that has forest fire prevention bylaws and is serviced by a fire department. Always check with local authorities to see if any other burning restrictions are in place before lighting any fire.

Anyone found in contravention of an open burning prohibition may be issued a ticket for $1,150, required to pay an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, fined up to $100,000 and/or sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes or contributes to a wildfire, the person responsible may be ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

To report a wildfire or open burning violation, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cellphone. For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, visit: http://www.bcwildfire.ca

You can also follow the latest wildfire news:
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/BCGovFireInfo
On Facebook: http://facebook.com/BCForestFireInfo

Contact:
Jody Lucius
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5965

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect

Lake Data for June 2017

From Hugh Burton:

I did the lake profile on June 17. Everything looks good. Lots of O2 almost to the bottom and the water is clear (if a bit on the brown side). The specific conductance is normal for the time of year.

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Public Town Hall Meeting - Ajax Mine

From the City of Kamloops website:

June 19, 2017 Public Town Hall Meeting
6:00 pm-10:00 pm
Coast Hotel and Conferencce Centre, 1250 Rogers Way

Public is invited to attend the presentations by Interior Health Authority and SLR Consulting Ltd. of the results of their reviews of the KGHM Ajax Mine Application. The presentations will be followed by a public question period. All questions must wait until the end of both presentations. The City thanks the public in advance for maintaining a respectful and informative meeting.

The meeting will also be live streamed online.

» Technical Peer Review - Proposed Ajax Mine - Final Report (PDF)
Prepared by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd.

June 22, 2017 Special Council Meeting
9:00 am-12:00 pm
City Hall - Council Chambers

City Council will have the opportunity to ask questions of SLR Consulting Ltd. regarding their review and final report. Please note, although this meeting is open to the public, there is limited seating in Council Chambers. There will be no opportunity for questions from the public at this meeting. Please attend the Town Hall Meeting on June 19, 2017 if you wish to ask questions (questions only, no comments).

Lac Le Jeune Community Garage Sale Map

The Lac Le Jeune Community Garage Sale takes place Saturday, June 17 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Over 17 households participating! Plenty of free stuff! Be sure to tell all your friends. :)

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Logan Lake Skating Club

Blades and Edges is designed to teach the necessary skills for all skaters whether they are hockey skaters, figure skaters, or recreational skaters.

Click for a larger view