TUESDAY
S I N C E
JULY 15, 2014
1 8 9 5
Vol. 119, Issue 108
105
$
INCLUDING G.S.T.
Zone swim team off to Games Page 13
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PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF ROSSLAND, WARFIELD, TRAIL, MONTROSE, FRUITVALE & SALMO
Lightning sparks area wildfires BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
After a blistering hot weekend in Greater Trail, a turn in weather conditions Sunday evening sparked three wildfires early Monday morning. Starting what is expected to be a busy couple of days for the wildfire crews, was a trio of lightning-caused spot fires reported to the Southeast Fire Centre between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Locally, a wildfire 10 kilometres north of downtown Rossland was called into the centre by a logging company that was accessing an adjacent fire service road. The location is two kilometres north of Highway 3B near Murphy Creek, said Jordan Turner, the centre’s fire information officer, adding that the logging crew worked to contain the wildfire until a three-person initial attack team walked into the location via the highway and forestry road. “They have been assisting us with this operation,” said Turner. “It’s hasn’t burned really hot yet, but with the dry weather it’s a possibility which is why we sent out crews immediately.” The current weather system in the West Kootenay region, along with hot conditions over the last seven to 10 days, has dried forest fuels and increased the fire danger rating from low to high. That means new fires may start easily, burn vigorously and challenge fire suppression efforts. Turner asks anyone headed out to the woods to exercise extreme caution and make sure water and fire suppression tools are on hand. “We’re expecting quite a few lightning strikes throughout (Monday),” said Turner. See TWO, Page 3
More heat on the way BY SHERI REGNIER Times Staff
The week began with a cool reprieve from the weekend scorcher. But more hot days are on the way this week in Greater Trail, according to Ron Lakeman. A small system from the coast of Oregon brought thunderstorms and a dip in temperature for the Greater Trail area early Monday morning, explained the local forecaster. General air mass characteristics are still of a very warm dry atmosphere, he continued saying that temperatures could rise to 34 C this afternoon and climb to 37 C by Wednesday. See MORE, Page 3
HEADED FOR SPLASHDOWN
LITTLE LEAGUE PROVINCIALS
Teams begin quest for B.C. title BY LIZ BEVAN Times Staff
Under the scorching sun on Saturday afternoon, parents, players, coaches and spectators gathered at Andy Bilesky Park in Trail for the opening ceremonies of the B.C. Provincial Little League Championships. Teams from across the province made their way to Trail for the week-long tournament and Rob Buljevic, manager for the team from Hastings, District 6 champs, says he is happy to be back in Trail to play some baseball. “Trail has done a great job,” he said after the opening ceremonies were finished. “This is my second time out here in the last two years. It's a great community. I grew up in a small town and they show their pride in the community. They've got great volunteers, you have a great park here and we were looking forward to going to this. We have stayed up in Rossland before and we thought it was a great experience and we were looking forward to coming back. It's always a great time.” Duncan Robertson, head coach for the District 1 champions, Dunbar, says he and the team are enthusiastic about playing some ball and visiting Trail. “It is very exciting and you don't always get an opportunity to do this,” he said. “A lot of times you fall short or it doesn't work out, so it is super special for me and the team this year. It's also really fabulous that we can come out to Trail and take in everything. It looks and feels like an awesome community.” Buljevic says the nine-and-10-year-old players hitting the field in this year's championship are getting a little taste of what could come for them at the next level of play and provides motivation for future seasons. “I think it's building steps to the 11 and 12 [age group], which is huge,” he said. “You get to go to Williamsport, Pennsylvania if you win the provincials, and the Canadians. So this is a stepping stone to get them prepared for that. “My older son went through that and now we get to do the same thing with my youngest, Luca. “My son has seen it and it is something he shoots for. He has a visual goal and I think they see it on the team too. Hastings has had a lot of success the last five years, they sent two teams to GUY BERTRAND PHOTO Williamsport, and the kids see that and they see Lucas Simm, 5, of Rossland is headed for a cool dip as he goes head first those kids achieve that and if they have done it, down the slide at the Warfield Pool. Expect the pool to be a busy spot this why can't we do it.” week as temperatures continue to stay hot in the West Kootenay. See COMMITMENT Page 2
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