In the news today: Work ongoing on wildfires near B.C.’s Slocan Lake

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

Work ongoing on wildfires near B.C.’s Slocan Lake

A member of the crew fighting six wildfires in British Columbia’s Slocan Lake region says changing weather conditions in the area are posing a challenge.

Jason Lawler, who is part of the Australian management team brought in to help with the fires, says morning conditions often differ from what crews see in the afternoon.

In a video posted online by the BC Wildfire service, Lawler says layers of smoke are also making it difficult to deploy aircraft to help.

Lawler says he’s not expecting improvement in the weather in the coming days “and the weather conditions aren’t great at the moment.”

The entire village of Slocan, east of Kelowna, was ordered evacuated Sunday along with hundreds of surrounding properties as multiple fires burn nearby.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Crews make progress in fight against Jasper wildfires

Parks Canada officials say they’re making progress on battling the blazes in Jasper National Park.

An update late Sunday night from the park’s official X account said crews were busy on several fronts, with the Canadian Armed Forces mopping up spot fires on the northwest side of the town of Jasper.

With temperatures in the area this week expected to linger in the mid 20s, Jasper National Park says it’s vital to keep making progress at this time.

Some of that progress includes work on a 12-inch sprinkler line along the community’s fire guard.

Over 20,000 people in and around the community nestled in the Rocky Mountains four hours west of Edmonton were ordered to evacuate last Monday due to fast-moving wildfires.

Parks Canada has estimated 30 per cent of the buildings in Jasper were damaged by the wildfire.

High blood pressure in pregnancy rising: study

A new study suggests the rate of high blood pressure disorders in pregnancy has risen over the last decade in Canada.

The research, published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, found that rates of hypertension and pre-eclampsia increased by 40 per cent between 2012 and 2021.

Senior author Dr. Joel Ray says high blood pressure is dangerous for both the mother and fetus but can be identified with regular monitoring and prevented with low-dose Aspirin in women identified as being at risk.

Ray, who is also a specialist in obstetrical medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, says there are also highly effective blood pressure medications that are safe to take during pregnancy.

He says likely factors associated with rising rates of hypertension include women getting pregnant at older ages and higher rates of obesity.

Fast-food brands see cold beverage category boom

Fast-food brands and convenience store chains say cold beverages are one of their biggest growth categories — even when it’s chilly out.

Executives from Tim Hortons, the owner of Circle K and Starbucks have all reported increased sales of fruit drinks, frappuccinos and carbonated treats.

Nourish Food Marketing president Jo-Ann McArthur attributes the strength of cold beverages to young consumers.

Unlike their older counterparts, who would switch back and forth between cold and hot beverages depending on the season, younger people reach for smoothies and other frosted drinks year round.

McArthur says young people are drawn to cold drinks because they often come in bright colours and can be customized.

Canada wins bronze medal in diving

Canadian divers Nathan Zsombor-Murray and Rylan Wiens have won the bronze medal in the men’s synchronized 10-metre platform at the Paris Olympics.

Zsombor-Murray, from Pointe-Claire, Que., and Regina’s Wiens finished third with a total of 422.13 points over six dives.

It’s Canada’s first ever medal in the event and the first Canadian men’s diving medal since Alexandre Despatie’s silver medal in the 3m springboard event in Beijing 2008.

The bronze adds to Canada’s haul, which includes the country’s first Olympic fencing medal.

Fencer Eleanor Harvey picked up that second-place prize Sunday, a day after swimmer Summer McIntosh nabbed Canada’s first medal of the Games with a silver in the women’s 400-metre freestyle on Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2024.

The Canadian Press