Friday, July 31, 2026

📰 News

A temporary North Shore shelter is caring for pets belonging to wildfire evacuees. The Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team, Ruff Start Rescue and Four Paws Food Bank have set up separate spaces at the Cooper Centre for dogs, cats and livestock. As of Thursday, volunteers were caring for 49 chickens, 17 cats and 13 dogs through overnight shelter and day boarding. (CFJC Today)

The Kamloops Venom will host the provincial junior B lacrosse final at Memorial Arena. The Venom face the Port Coquitlam Saints as Kamloops looks for its first B.C. title since 2012. (CFJC Today)

The BC Interior Community Foundation is seeking donations for regional disaster recovery. Its Natural Disaster Relief Fund supports charities serving the Thompson, Nicola and South Cariboo regions with needs not covered by other programs, including restoring services and helping communities through longer-term recovery. (Castanet)

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🏛️ What Changed

Kamloops and the TNRD have secured $7 million each for two major projects. The City’s grant will pay for the lobby, café and gallery at the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, reducing the amount borrowed for the $140-million project. The TNRD grant will help build an $11-million water treatment plant in Savona, aimed at ending chronic boil-water advisories for about 650 residents. (City of Kamloops · TNRD)

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🚨 Safety

The Guichon Creek fire near Logan Lake grew to about 88 hectares but saw little additional growth Thursday. The out-of-control fire was showing Rank 2 behaviour by the evening, with 35 firefighters, heavy equipment and two helicopters working on containment. Highway 97C reopened, while evacuation alerts remained in place for 56 addressed properties. (Castanet)

Crews responded to a new wildfire near Green Lake as the Pear Lake fire grew to about 73,200 hectares. The new 1.1-hectare fire was showing Rank 2 and 3 behaviour Thursday afternoon, with ground crews and helicopters working the site. Pear Lake crews are preparing for more extreme fire behaviour as a cold front approaches, and Green Lake residents remain on alert. (Castanet · CFJC Today)

BC Hydro says wildfires have destroyed hundreds of power structures in the Interior. The damage includes substations, high-voltage lines and distribution equipment. Crews have begun access work, material staging and some repairs, but active fires are still preventing full assessments in several areas. (CFJC Today)

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📅 Events

Browse the Kamloops Events directory for the full long weekend. Smoke has pushed the AQHI into the very high range, so check current conditions before outdoor plans.

The Guess Hooligans play Music in the Park Friday night. The free set featuring a former Guess Who guitarist starts at 7 p.m. at the Riverside Park bandshell. (City of Kamloops)

Park Play Days visits Valleyview Centennial Park Friday morning. The free family drop-in runs from 10 a.m. to noon at 2288 Park Drive. (City of Kamloops)

The Kamloops Film Society screens The Watermelon Woman Friday night. The Queer Film Series presentation starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre. (Kamloops Film Society)

Sun Peaks starts its BC Day long-weekend programming Friday. Free family activities run through August 3. (Sun Peaks Resort)

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🛣️ Roads & Weather

🌫️ Friday is forecast to be mainly sunny and hot, with a high near 33°C. Smoke pushed the latest AQHI reading to 11, in the very high-risk range, and a yellow air-quality warning remains active. Saturday brings a chance of showers near 27°C, followed by a sunny Sunday near 24°C.

Drivers are being urged to use extra care on Highway 24 while wildfire closures divert more traffic through the corridor. Police and commercial vehicle officers have increased enforcement between the Clearwater and 100 Mile House areas, focusing on speeding, distraction, impairment and unsafe passing. (CFJC Today)

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🎮 Daily Game

Box Office Game: identify the movie from its box-office run and a few clues.