Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
Tiger dams being set up on Highway 1 in Abbotsford to hold back Sumas River floodwaters. (Photo credit: BC Transportation/Twitter)
By Pete McIntyre
Provincial update

Provincial state of emergency and gas limits extended

Nov 29, 2021 | 2:00 PM

Emergency measures are being extended in British Columbia to deal with the ongoing flooding and extreme weather events.

“We are still in a volatile and dynamic situation,” public safety minister Mike Farnworth told a provincial update Monday.

Farnworth announced an extension to the order to limit fuel to non-essential vehicles (maximum 30 litres) in some areas to Dec. 14. That applies to drivers from the Lower Mainland to Hope, the Sea to Sky area, the Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island.

“The fuel conservation measures are working and I want to thank British Columbians for their patience, but we need to stay the course for another two weeks until we have the Trans Mountain pipeline back online,” Farnworth explained.

Farnworth also announced an extension to the provincial state of emergency to the end of the day on Dec. 14th.

Water Shut Off Response
Fruit Growers Association call for plan to support farmers amid water shortage
16h ago
42-Unit Project
Fees waived for new supportive housing project in Vernon
17h ago
Investigation underway
One person deceased after fire at North Okanagan farm
20h ago

“Extending the state of emergency will support the ongoing response and recovery from the widespread damage from flooding and allow us to take necessary steps for the days ahead,” the minister said.

Farnworth also extended the travel orders restricting non-essential travel on Highways 3, 7 and 99.

Bruce Ralston, minister of energy, mines and petroleum resources, said the Trans Mountain pipeline provides the majority of transportation fuels for the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

“The pipeline has been down since Nov. 14, 2021 although crews have been working around the clock to restart the line in a phased approach,” said Ralston.

by Pete McIntyre
View Comments

Other Matters

Municipal election
Local media business leader to run for city council
Local businesswoman Nikki Csek is taking a run at Kelowna City Council in the October election.The founder and CEO of Csek Creative and NowMedia Group, said her campaign isn't the beginning of her service to Kelowna but simply the next way she hopes to serve.She's served on boards, chaired organizations, and volunteere...
14h ago
Read More
Water Shut Off Response
Fruit Growers Association call for plan to support farmers amid water shortage
The province's fruit industry advocacy group has called for a halt in the current water management approach for local agricultural properties. As of July 13, Greater Vernon Water (GVW) was authorized to shut off water service to agricultural properties that had reached their seasonal water allocation limit.B.C. Fruit G...
16h ago
Read More
42-Unit Project
Fees waived for new supportive housing project in Vernon
A new supportive housing project in Vernon will get some municipal support.At their meeting on Monday, July 20, Vernon City Council was asked to waive the Development Cost Charges (DCCs) for the project at the site of the former Polson Park Motel on 24th Avenue.City staff recommended waiving $125,518 in fees and coveri...
17h ago
Read More
New Charge
Man accused in Bailey McCourt killing faces additional charge
The man accused of killing Bailey McCourt is facing another criminal charge.James Plover appeared in court Wednesday on an allegation he breached a no-contact order in Pitt Meadows last September.Plover is already charged with first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife, who was allegedly attacked with a ham...
18h ago
Read More
Investigation underway
One person deceased after fire at North Okanagan farm
A tractor fire at a farm north of Lumby has claimed the life of one person.At around 2:25 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, police and firefighters were called to a farm in the 1300-block of Trinity Valley Road for a report of an out of control fire.The fire started from a tractor and baler then spread to the fields, nearby tre...
20h ago
Read More
Burning Garbage
Fine issued for illegal burning case in Lumby
A North Okanagan resident has been fined under the Wildfire Act.At around 8 a.m. Friday, July 17, Lumby Fire Department were called out to a rural property east of the community for a burning complaint.Firefighters arrived on the scene and found a man had lit a fire, contrary to the existing ban, and was burning garbag...
21h ago
Read More
Severe Drought Conditions
Lake Okanagan level dips to record low as drought conditions continue
The water level at Lake Okanagan has dipped to a new low.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the daily water level has dropped to its lowest point on record dating back 80 years. The black line indicates the current daily water level for Lake Okanagan, which was at a historic low (Image Credit: B.C. River Forecast Cent...
21h ago
Read More
Crime Stats
Kelowna's crime severity ranking improves, mayor says work remains
Kelowna's ranking on the national Crime Severity Index has improved, but Mayor Tom Dyas says the city still has work to do on community safety.The 2025 Crime Severity Index shows Kelowna ranked 20th out of 71 B.C. municipalities with populations above 10,000, and 273rd out of 1,039 municipalities measured across Canada...
21h ago
Read More
Poor air quality
Wildfire smoke blankets region
It may be a stay-inside kind of summer day in the Okanagan - but not because of the heat.Thick wildfire smoke has settled over the valley, with a special air quality advisory in effect across much of B.C., including the Central Okanagan. Environment Canada says conditions in Kelowna are currently rated moderate, but th...
22h ago
Read More

What Matters

Water Shut Off Response
Fruit Growers Association call for plan to support farmers amid water shortage
16h ago
42-Unit Project
Fees waived for new supportive housing project in Vernon
17h ago
Investigation underway
One person deceased after fire at North Okanagan farm
20h ago
Burning Garbage
Fine issued for illegal burning case in Lumby
21h ago
Severe Drought Conditions
Lake Okanagan level dips to record low as drought conditions continue
21h ago