e-KNOW (East Kootenay News Online Weekly)

07/29/2026

WARNING - extreme new hazard near the Stanford on the Elk River. It has already trapped some river users.

Please make sure you exit the river well before this. There is a sign upstream on river right warning you to exit.

07/24/2026

🌬️ Hot and Smoky Out There? Come Cool Off at the Columbia Valley Centre

The heat and wildfire smoke are settling in, so if you need a break from it, our doors are open. The Columbia Valley Centre is a comfortable, welcoming place to escape the conditions and breathe a little easier.

What you'll find inside
❄️ Cool, comfortable indoor air
🪑 Comfy seating to relax and stay a while
📶 Free WiFi, so you can work, browse, or pass the time

We're open
🕙 Monday: 10 am to 5 pm
🕙 Tuesday: 10 am to 5 pm
🕙 Wednesday: 10 am to 8 pm
🕙 Thursday: 10 am to 8 pm
🕙 Friday: 10 am to 5 pm
🕙 Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm

Everyone is welcome, no need to call ahead, just come on in. Check in on neighbours, friends, and anyone who might need a cool, smoke-free place to spend some time.

Take care of yourselves out there, Invermere. 💙

07/24/2026

The Evacuation ALERT stage is the time to be moving recreational vehicles and boats to a space outside of the Alert area.

We have gathered some resources for potential storage and RV parking options.

The list is by no means an exhaustive list of facilities in the area. Residents are encouraged to plan in advance what storage facility they want to use.

Find the list here:https://www.rdek.bc.ca/images/uploads/27.07.22_Storage_Facilities_.pdf

As far as RV parking options go, here are two possibilities in the City of Cranbrook:

Moir Park - 518-, 520 Industrial Road G, Cranbrook
- This facility has parking for RVs and is best suited to those looking to stay in their RVs.

Western Financial Place - 1777 2 St N, Cranbrook
- This facility has parking for RVs and is best suited to those looking to park their RVs and stay elsewhere.

07/23/2026

From ENVIRONMENT CANADA (July 23, 2026)

Yellow level air quality warning issued for:
East Kootenay - north including Invermere
Elk Valley
East Kootenay - south including Cranbrook
Impact Level: Moderate
Forecast Confidence: High

Smoke is causing or expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility.
During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour.

Monitor the situation for any wildfires near your area at EmergencyInfoBC (https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/).

Exposure to smoke can affect your health. Postpone or reduce strenuous outdoor activities until the warning has ended. Spend time indoors in a space with cleaner air.
Some people are more likely to be negatively impacted by smoke. This includes people with lung and heart conditions, pregnant individuals, infants and young children, people aged 65 and older, and anyone whose health is affected by a chronic condition or acute illness.

Follow your common sense
-Stop or reduce your activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable or you feel unwell.
-Stay cool and drink plenty of fluids.
-Carry any rescue medications with you at all times.
-Make sure that children and others who cannot care for themselves follow the same advice.

07/22/2026

UPDATED July 22, 6:47 pm
There was an increase in fire behaviour this afternoon as warmer temperatures, strengthening winds and an abundance of dead and combustible fuels created conditions more conducive to fire growth. Increased smoke will be visible in the area.

The Planned Ignition did not proceed this afternoon.

ORIGINAL POST: Residents in and around the Kimberley area may see additional smoke over the Matthew Creek fire this afternoon.
Using aerial resources, BC Wildfire is executing a low-intensity planned ignition on the eastern flank of the Matthew Creek wildfire. This ignition will consume the buildup of dead and combustible materials and tie it into natural features, limiting the impacts to the watershed.

Ignitions will only go ahead if weather and site conditions allow. If the planned ignition goes ahead, increased smoke will be visible in the area.

07/22/2026

07/22/2026

RIP Keith Liggett, you will be missed. Tribute in comments.

07/21/2026

REGIONAL WILDFIRE UPDATE: (Updated 07.21.26 11 PM)

This is your Regional Wildfire Update for July 21 with information from the BC Wildfire Service:

An Incident Management Team (IMT) arrives today to assume command of what is being named the Bootleg Complex.

Learn more about Incident Management Teams by clicking here: https://tinyurl.com/mvrzujnf

N11020 – Matthew Creek

▪ Effective 8:00 pm on July 19, 2026, an Evacuation ALERT has been issued for the City of Kimberley including all properties within the municipal boundaries due to the Matthew Creek Wildfire. Details at www.rdek.bc.ca
▪ Estimated size - 567 ha
▪ Structure Protection personnel have arrived in the area, have triaged identified priority values near both the Matthew Creek and Tower Creek fires.
▪ Fire activity remained subdued overnight and early morning period, no substantial growth overnight. With the weather forecast to be similar to yesterday, we expect that fire activity will pick up in the afternoon today during the warmest and driest part of the day
▪ Initial attack crews are working alongside a wildfire rehabilitation specialist line locating for heavy equipment
▪ Heavy equipment began reopening sections of the Mark Creek FSR on July 20 and this work continues through the day today
▪ Staging with a helicopter pad is finalized and a safe zone was established yesterday
▪ A unit crew is assigned to the Bootleg complex and working on developing control lines
▪ Helicopters are supporting ground crews, bucketing to cool fire activity and moving crews and gear as needed

N10947 – Tower Creek #2 and N10944 – Tower Creek (Meachen Area)

▪ Effective 8:00 pm on July 19, 2026, an Evacuation ALERT has been issued for 66 properties in the St. Mary Lake Area (Electoral Area E) due to the Tower Creek Wildfires. Details at www.rdek.bc.ca
▪ (N10947) Estimated size - 250 ha
▪ (N10944) Estimated size – 12 ha
▪ Structure Protection personnel will be proactively deploying equipment in the St Mary Lake area and values immediately east and west of the lake.
▪ Fire activity remained subdued overnight and early morning period. With the forecast similar to yesterday, July 20th, we expect that fire activity will pick up in the afternoon today as we enter the warmest and driest part of the day
▪ Initial attack crews are working alongside a wildfire rehabilitation specialist line locating for heavy equipment
▪ Heavy equipment teams are reopening sections of a deactivated FSR that will act as a control line
▪ Helicopters are supporting ground crews, bucketing to cool fire activity and moving crews and gear as needed

N11027 – Bootleg Mountain

▪ Estimated size – 10 ha
▪ Burning in steep and mountainous terrain that is unsafe for crews to action directly.
▪ A response strategy is being developed that will be implemented if the fire moves towards workable ground.
▪ There are no structures or infrastructure currently threatened.

N11036 – Calamity Creek (South of the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy Provincial Park)

▪ Estimated size - 70 hectares

N21071 – Jumbo Creek

▪ Estimated size – 0.04 ha
▪ This fire was discovered yesterday (July 20)

N10982 – Tower Creek #3 (Meachen Area)

▪ This fire is Being Held

N10943 – Meachen Creek

▪ This fire is Being Held

The most current wildfire information is available at www.bcwildfire.ca

07/17/2026

🏠 Become a Billet Family! ❤️💛

The Kimberley Dynamiters are looking for billet families for the 2026–27 season! Help provide a home away from home for one of our players while becoming a part of the Dynamiters family.

Billet families receive:
🏡 $900/month
🛒 Local grocery discount
🎟️ Season tickets
❤️ Memories that last a lifetime

Interested in learning more?

📩 Contact Karrie Hall at [email protected].

07/10/2026

💥💥 BEAR IN AREA 💥💥
Cranbrook residents, be aware and take care in the areas of Patterson St West up towards Jim Smith Lake and New Lake. Over the last couple weeks there have been several reports of a bear/bears getting into garbages and close to homes.
To avoid unwanted visits please keep garbage and waste locked up, don’t leave pet food outside, clean your barbecues and make sure your fruit trees are managed and fallen fruit is picked up.
Managing wildlife attractants helps to keep wildlife wild and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Please also be mindful when recreating in the area, making sure you leash your dogs, travel in groups when you can, make lots of noise and carry your bear spray!
Please report any wildlife conflicts to the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277 or online https://forms.gov.bc.ca/environment/rapp/