A huge floating island appeared on Williston Reservoir, then vanished. B.C. Hydro is watching the lake as experts explore how it formed.

A giant island appeared out of nowhere

A huge island suddenly showed up on Williston Reservoir in northern B.C.

Then, just as quickly, it vanished.

The strange sight was first spotted by a boater earlier this month. Photos and video soon spread online after local resident Rocky Avery shared them.

For Avery, the sight was hard to believe.

He said he had never seen anything like it during his 40 years in Canada.

The island was not small, either. It measured about 140 metres long and 70 metres wide.

That is close to the size of two football fields.

Satellite images confirmed it was real

At first, B.C. Hydro was not sure what to make of the photos.

That caution made sense. Fake images and AI-made videos are now common online.

However, satellite images later solved that mystery.

Images from July 21 showed the floating mass in the main part of Williston Reservoir, west of Finlay Bay.

The spot was about 100 kilometres west of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam.

B.C. Hydro estimated the island covered about 9,800 square metres.

So, yes, the strange island was real.

Then the island disappeared

There was another twist.

By Aug. 5, the island could no longer be seen in satellite images.

B.C. Hydro says it has not been found since.

Still, that does not mean the island sank.

Instead, it may have drifted back towards the shore. A sheltered area could have hidden it from view.

For now, B.C. Hydro is keeping watch.

The utility also says the island is not expected to affect its operations.

Why did the island start floating?

There is a likely explanation.

Williston Reservoir has seen very high water levels this year.

Heavy winter snow and steady summer rain helped fill the reservoir. In June and July, B.C. Hydro opened spillways at the W.A.C. Bennett Dam to release water.

The reservoir has not been full for about 14 years.

That may have helped set the island free.

Over many years, trees and other plant life can grow where driftwood and other organic material build up along the shore.

As water rises, that mass can break away.

Once it is free, wind and waves can push it across the water.

That appears to be one possible explanation for what happened at Williston Reservoir.

However, B.C. Hydro cannot say exactly where the island came from.

High water is moving more debris

Local residents have noticed other changes, too.

Avery says the high water has washed away some shoreline areas and moved more trees and debris into the reservoir.

That can create a serious boating risk.

Large logs may sit low in the water. On calm days, boaters may spot them. But waves can make them much harder to see.

A hidden tree can cause major damage if a boat hits it.

So, while the floating island may be gone for now, boaters still have good reason to stay alert.

Floating islands are not unheard of

The sight may sound like something from a movie.

Yet floating islands are a real natural phenomenon.

Similar events have happened in other large reservoirs.

In Wisconsin, for example, huge pieces of peat broke free after an area was flooded to create a reservoir.

Elsewhere, floating islands have also been studied for their effects on boating, fishing and water quality.

So, Williston Reservoir may have produced a rare sight in B.C., but nature has pulled off this trick before.

B.C. Hydro wants people to keep watch

Williston Reservoir is enormous.

Because of its size, checking every part of it by boat is not practical.

That is why B.C. Hydro also uses satellite images and reports from people in the area.

For now, the mystery remains.

The island appeared.

It drifted through one of B.C.’s largest reservoirs.

And then it disappeared.

But with water levels high and more debris moving through the lake, boaters are being urged to stay careful.

The next sighting could come from anyone on the water.

A paddler shot and killed a protected polar bear near Manitoba’s Seal River. Wildlife officials are investigating the rare incident.

Polar bear shot near Seal River

A polar bear was shot and killed by a paddler near Manitoba’s Hudson Bay coast on Friday.

The incident happened near the mouth of the Seal River, about 50 kilometres west of Churchill, according to the province.

Now, wildlife officials are investigating the shooting.

Polar bears are protected in Manitoba. They are also listed as a threatened species. In addition, Manitoba does not allow a legal polar bear hunt.

Rare incident raises questions

The shooting is unusual in Canada, especially in Manitoba.

Doug Clark, a University of Saskatchewan professor who studies encounters between people and polar bears, said he is not sure whether a paddler or hiker has previously killed a polar bear in Manitoba while acting in self-defence.

However, such encounters can happen.

Clark has studied similar conflicts in other Arctic regions. He has seen reports involving paddlers near Labrador’s Torngat Mountains and Svalbard, a Norwegian Arctic archipelago.

“Paddlers, particularly kayakers, are at risk of interactions with polar bears,” Clark said.

The risk can rise when people camp on shore.

Camping can bring bears close

Polar bears can approach camps while looking for food.

That can put people in serious danger, especially at night.

Clark said defensive shootings often happen at very close range. In some cases, people wake up to find a bear inside or near their camp.

For paddlers, the risk is especially important along remote Hudson Bay waterways.

The Seal River runs across northern Manitoba before reaching the bay. Its coast is home to many polar bears.

After completing the river journey, canoeists and kayakers often take a boat to Churchill. That choice helps them avoid a risky stretch of open water.

Shotguns used as a last resort

Some paddling groups carry shotguns for protection in polar bear country.

Garrett Fache, a canoe guide and owner of Winnipeg-based Wild Loon Adventure Company, said firearms are used only as a final measure.

At first, paddlers may use blanks as a noise deterrent.

Fache said the firearm stays sealed and secured while the group is on the water. It is taken out only after the group reaches land.

The approach aims to keep the firearm as a last line of defence rather than a routine tool.

Changing ice may raise the risk

Clark said polar bear encounters may be becoming more common along the Hudson Bay coast.

Changing ice conditions could be one reason.

As sea ice patterns shift, polar bears may spend more time on land. As a result, people travelling and camping along the coast may face more unexpected encounters.

“There’s an awful lot more variability in what the ice is doing in the bay,” Clark said.

That change could make old safety patterns less reliable.

Officials urged to share more details

Clark said he hopes authorities will provide a fuller account of Friday’s shooting.

More information could help other paddlers understand what happened and learn how to stay safe in polar bear territory.

For now, the Manitoba wildlife investigation remains underway.

The incident also highlights a difficult reality for people travelling through the Arctic: remote beauty can come with serious wildlife risks, and encounters with polar bears can turn dangerous very quickly.

Evacuation alerts end around Boston Bar as wildfire conditions improve, but two major fires remain out of control and hot, dry weather continues.

Residents get the all-clear

After more than a month of wildfire concerns, residents around Boston Bar, B.C., can finally breathe a little easier.

The Fraser Valley Regional District has lifted evacuation alerts for Boston Bar and nearby areas, including North Bend, Fishblue Lake and Canyon Alpine.

The move follows improving conditions around the Brunswick complex of wildfires. In turn, residents can return to normal routines, although fire crews remain busy in the area.

Two major fires are still burning

The update brings welcome news, but the wildfire threat has not disappeared.

The Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek fires remain out of control. Together, they cover more than 700 square kilometres.

However, crews continue to work on the fires, and residents may still notice smoke or see fire activity nearby.

The BC Wildfire Service advised the regional district before the alerts were cancelled.

Boston Bar faced weeks of danger

The small Fraser Canyon community, about 250 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, has faced a long and difficult wildfire season.

An evacuation order forced residents out of Boston Bar on July 16. Weeks later, the order was downgraded to an alert in early August.

Now, with conditions improving, that alert has been cancelled.

Still, officials are urging residents to stay aware as crews continue their work.

Highway and water warnings remain

Despite the lifted alert, some restrictions are still in place.

A section of Highway 1 south of Boston Bar remains closed. In addition, property owners who use private wells must contact Fraser Health for water testing before they use their water.

Therefore, residents should check local updates before travelling or using water from affected wells.

Lightning brings a fresh concern

Meanwhile, another wildfire risk is growing across parts of B.C.

Lightning moved through central B.C. on Tuesday night. As a result, new fires could start without being noticed right away, especially in the Northwest and Prince George fire centres.

The BC Wildfire Service says some lightning-caused fires can smoulder underground or in remote areas for days or even weeks.

Then, when hot, dry and windy weather returns, those fires can quickly become active.

Hot, dry weather continues

For now, hot and dry conditions remain across much of British Columbia.

So, while the end of the Boston Bar evacuation alert marks an important step forward, the wider wildfire season is far from over.

Residents should continue to watch for official fire updates, follow travel notices and remain ready for changing conditions.

Delta police are investigating a suspicious death after a fire and deceased woman were found in a River Road field Wednesday morning.

Police Called to River Road Field

Delta police are investigating a suspicious death after a fire and a deceased adult woman were found in a field Wednesday morning.

Officers responded to the 6400 block of River Road at about 6:10 a.m. on Aug. 26. There, they found a fire and the woman’s body.

Police have not released the woman’s identity. Meanwhile, investigators are working to confirm who she was and determine what led to her death.

Investigators Seek Answers

At this point, police have not shared further details about how the woman died. However, investigators are examining the scene and the events that happened before the discovery.

As the investigation continues, police are asking the public for help. In particular, they want to hear from anyone who was in the area during the early morning hours.

Dashcam Video Could Help

Police are asking drivers who travelled along the 6400 block of River Road around the time of the incident to come forward.

Even a small detail could help investigators piece together what happened. In addition, anyone with dashcam footage from the area is urged to share it with police.

Anyone with information or relevant footage can contact the Delta Police Department at 604-946-4444.

For now, police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.

Mark Carney says Canada rejected a U.S. trade offer that demanded too much, as new 50% tariffs deepen tensions between Ottawa and Washington.

Carney rejects what he calls a bad deal

Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada has walked away from trade talks with the United States after Washington made demands Ottawa could not accept.

Speaking in Ottawa on Saturday, Carney said the U.S. “asked too much and offered too little.”

As a result, Canada suspended the talks. The move came as new U.S. tariffs of up to 50% on almost $30 billion of Canadian goods took effect.

Carney said Canada wanted a fair deal. However, he argued that the latest U.S. terms would have hurt Canadian industries and weakened the country’s ability to set its own policies.

“We cannot accept what they’ve offered, and we will not give what they’ve asked,” he said.

Canada puts sovereignty first

Carney said his government had negotiated for more than a year. Throughout that time, he said, Canada remained patient and focused on a long-term partnership.

However, the two sides continued to disagree over several major issues.

Canada wanted lower tariffs, stable trade rules and stronger access to the U.S. market. At the same time, Ottawa wanted to protect key industries and maintain control over Canadian policy.

Carney said some issues were never open for negotiation.

Those included Canadian sovereignty, the protection of the French language and Canadian culture.

“We were not prepared to compromise Canada’s sovereignty or undermine our key industries,” Carney said.

New U.S. tariffs trigger Canadian response

Canada will now match Washington’s new tariffs dollar for dollar, Carney said.

The response will focus on industries such as steel, dairy, appliances, farm equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics.

In addition, Canada will target goods affected by certain U.S. trade measures.

The new Canadian tariffs will take effect on the Tuesday after Labour Day, with full details expected in the coming days.

Carney stressed that Ottawa did not take the step lightly.

He said tariffs could increase prices and reduce choices for Canadian shoppers. He also noted that some U.S. businesses and states could be caught in the dispute despite having no role in it.

Still, he said Canada had to defend its workers and businesses.

Ottawa says the U.S. trade deficit tells only part of the story

Carney also challenged the idea that Canada takes advantage of the United States through trade.

He pointed to Canada’s role as a major energy supplier to the U.S.

Canada supplies most of the natural gas, electricity and crude oil that the U.S. imports, according to figures cited by the prime minister.

He also highlighted American sales to Canada.

Canada remains a major buyer of U.S. cars, trucks, steel and other products. In fact, Carney said Canada buys more American-made cars and trucks than the United Kingdom, Japan and China combined.

Therefore, he argued, tariffs do not simply punish Canada.

They can also raise costs for American consumers.

Canada looks beyond the U.S.

Despite the worsening dispute, Carney said Canada will not put its economic future on hold.

Instead, his government plans to expand trade with other countries and strengthen Canada’s economy at home.

Carney said Canada has signed more than 20 trade and security agreements across five continents over the past year.

He also pointed to new and planned agreements with countries and regions outside North America.

Next, Canada plans to deepen trade links with ASEAN and India. Ottawa also expects to open talks with the European Union this fall.

Carney said these efforts could give Canadian companies access to a much larger global customer base.

Ottawa doubles down on major projects

Carney also used the speech to highlight major domestic investments.

The federal government has referred 27 large projects to the Major Projects Office. Together, he said, they represent about $500 billion in potential private investment.

The projects include ports, mines and energy corridors.

Meanwhile, the government is also pushing ahead with housing, community infrastructure and electricity projects.

Carney said Ottawa plans to double Canada’s electricity-grid capacity by 2050.

He also pointed to major clean-energy plans in Quebec and Atlantic Canada.

The government, he said, wants Canada to become an energy powerhouse while also strengthening national security and defence.

Businesses and workers will get federal support

The government has set aside $25 billion to help Canadian workers and businesses deal with the effects of U.S. tariffs.

The support will target small and medium-sized businesses, large employers and industries facing the biggest disruption.

Ottawa also plans to help companies improve productivity, strengthen supply chains and find new international markets.

At the same time, Carney said the government wants Canadians to buy more Canadian products and use Canadian workers and materials.

Carney says Canada is stronger than before

The prime minister ended his speech with a message of confidence.

He argued that Canada is now less dependent on the United States than it was when the trade dispute began.

He also pointed to stronger trade links, rising investment and plans to grow exports beyond the American market.

For Carney, the strategy is clear: build at home, sell abroad and protect Canada’s ability to make its own choices.

The trade dispute may have closed one door. However, Carney says Canada is already opening others.

His message was simple.

Canada will not wait for Washington to decide its future.

Instead, Ottawa plans to set its own course.

As Carney put it, Canadians are “masters in our own house.”

A B.C. vet warns of more bat encounters after a rabies-positive bat was found in Whistler. Pet owners are urged to keep rabies shots up to date.

Rabies-positive bat sparks warning

A B.C. veterinarian is urging pet owners to stay alert after a bat in the Sea to Sky region tested positive for rabies.

The bat had direct contact with a person. Health officials sent it for testing in July. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency later confirmed the positive result.

Jordie Schnarr, managing veterinarian at Coast Mountain Veterinary Services in Whistler, says bat encounters have also jumped this year.

More pets are coming in

Schnarr says her clinic has seen a clear rise in cases involving bats and pets.

So far this year, 25 people have brought pets to the clinic after bat encounters. Last year, the clinic saw fewer than five such cases.

Schnarr says she does not know what happened to the person who had contact with the rabid bat. Vancouver Coastal Health did not immediately say whether the person became infected.

Health officials also advised Schnarr to get two rabies booster shots. She had already received several rabies vaccines.

Another rabid bat found on Vancouver Island

The Whistler case is not the only recent warning.

Coastland Veterinary Hospital in Campbell River said a bat found in the area tested positive for rabies on July 24.

However, public health officials say rabies remains rare in B.C. They also note that bats play an important role in the ecosystem, and a small number naturally carry the virus.

Human risk remains low

The last known human rabies case in B.C. happened in 2019. A Vancouver Island man died after contracting the disease.

The BC Centre for Disease Control says the risk of rabies remains low. Less than 0.5 per cent of bats in the province carry rabies.

Still, rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms begin. Therefore, any possible exposure should be taken seriously.

Pet owners urged to keep shots current

The BC Community Bat Program says people may see more bats at this time of year. Bats are more active and move around more during the summer.

The group advises residents to leave bats alone and avoid touching them.

Meanwhile, Schnarr says the recent rise in bat encounters is a good reminder for pet owners.

Keeping dogs and cats up to date on their rabies vaccines can help protect them after an unexpected encounter.

For pet owners, the message is simple: give bats space, and make sure your pet’s rabies vaccine is current.

Submitted by Assiniboine Park Zoo

An orphaned polar bear cub from near Churchill has arrived safely at Winnipeg’s Assiniboine Park Zoo after losing its mother.

An orphaned polar bear cub from northern Manitoba has found a new home in Winnipeg after its mother was found dead near Churchill.

The young bear arrived safely at Assiniboine Park Zoo late Thursday. Now, a team of veterinary staff, animal-care experts and conservation specialists will help the cub adjust to life in human care.

Cub Had Little Chance in the Wild

Manitoba conservation officers identified the cub as a candidate for transfer under the province’s Polar Bear Protection Act, according to the zoo.

The decision came after the cub’s mother died. At about nine months old, the young bear had not yet learned the hunting skills it would need to survive alone.

Chris Enright, the zoo’s senior director of zoological operations, said the cub would not have had a fair chance in the wild.

Still, Enright stressed that moving a polar bear from the wild is not a routine step.

Wild polar bears should remain in their natural habitat whenever possible. However, in this case, the zoo said intervention was needed to give the cub a chance to survive.

Care Began Near Churchill

After the cub was identified, members of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy’s polar bear rescue and care team travelled north.

The team supplied equipment and resources for the cub’s early care. Then, veterinary staff went to Churchill to examine the bear and oversee its move to Winnipeg.

The transfer was completed safely on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, the province continues to investigate the cause of the mother’s death.

New Life Begins Behind the Scenes

For now, visitors will not see the cub.

Instead, the young bear will spend time in quarantine while staff check its health and determine what care it needs.

The adjustment will happen slowly. In fact, Enright said the team will move forward at the cub’s own pace.

First, the cub will have time to play, explore and exercise. It will also become familiar with food and its new surroundings.

Then, staff will gradually introduce more human contact.

The approach is important because the cub has gone through a major change in a very short time.

Just one week ago, it was still travelling across the tundra with its mother. Now, it is in a completely new environment.

Zoo Says Cub Could Thrive

Despite the difficult start, the zoo is hopeful about the cub’s future.

The young bear spent the first nine months of its life with its mother. As a result, it has already learned key social signals and body language that polar bears use.

That could help the cub interact with other bears at the zoo.

The facility is already home to six rescued polar bears: Storm, Nanuq, York, Kaska, Willow and Star.

The zoo said its experience with other rescued bears suggests the new arrival could begin to settle in within about two weeks. However, each animal responds differently, so staff will adjust the process as needed.

Enright also said the cub could become comfortable around people within the next month or two. However, there is no fixed timeline.

A Chance to Connect People With Polar Bears

The cub’s arrival also highlights the zoo’s conservation role.

Enright said rescued polar bears can help visitors understand the animals and the challenges they face in the wild.

The zoo welcomes thousands of visitors each day and hundreds of thousands each year. Therefore, staff hope the new cub will help build a stronger connection between people and polar bears.

That connection can also encourage people to make choices that help protect wildlife and the environment.

For now, however, the priority is simple: helping the young bear heal, settle in and learn how to live safely without its mother.

The zoo said it will provide updates as the cub continues its transition to its new home.

Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Victor R. Caivano

A black bear injured a woman and her dog on an Anmore back deck. Conservation officers are monitoring the area for bear activity.

Woman and Dog Hurt in Anmore Bear Attack

ANMORE, B.C. — A black bear injured a woman and her dog during an encounter on the back deck of a home in Anmore earlier this week.

According to British Columbia’s Conservation Officer Service, the attack happened Monday. The woman was at her property when the bear came onto the deck.

She suffered injuries that were not life-threatening. Meanwhile, her dog was also injured.

Bear Gone When Officers Arrived

Conservation officers responded after the attack. However, the bear had already left the property by the time they arrived.

The service said it is now watching the area for signs of bear activity. Officers will also respond if needed to help keep people safe.

Residents in the area are being urged to stay alert. In particular, people should take care around homes, yards and outdoor spaces where bears may look for food.

Another Bear Attack Happened in Maple Ridge

The Anmore attack comes just weeks after another serious bear encounter in Metro Vancouver.

Earlier this month, a three-year-old girl was attacked by a black bear on the back deck of her home in Maple Ridge.

In that case, a parent stepped in and drove the bear away. The child was then flown to B.C. Children’s Hospital with injuries that were not life-altering.

Later, RCMP officers killed the bear.

Officials Continue to Watch the Area

The two incidents have renewed concern about bear activity around homes in Metro Vancouver.

For now, conservation officers say they will continue to monitor the Anmore area. They will also take action when needed to protect public safety.

As a result, residents should remain cautious when spending time outdoors, especially in areas where bears have recently been seen.

A Seattle woman was fined $1,500 after pleading guilty to having her dog off-leash near a grizzly bear in Banff National Park.

Viral Banff bear video leads to $1,500 fine

A close encounter with a grizzly bear in Banff National Park has ended with a $1,500 fine for a woman who admitted letting her dog off-leash.

Brook Koski pleaded guilty Wednesday in Canmore Court of Justice. The case began after a video of the encounter spread widely on TikTok.

The roughly 90-second clip shows Koski filming as her husband, Kraig, stands just metres from Grizzly Bear 142. He carries bear spray and repeatedly tells the bear to back away.

Meanwhile, their off-leash dog moves between the couple and the bear.

Thankfully, the grizzly does not show signs of aggression. Instead, it eventually walks into the woods.

Grizzly encounter sparks online reaction

The video quickly attracted several million views. However, the attention also brought a wave of criticism towards the couple.

Koski appeared in court online from Seattle, Wash. She became tearful as she apologized for what she called a lapse in judgment.

“We’ve learned our lesson,” she said.

Her lawyer, Isaak Hurst, said Koski was distressed during the encounter and had never been in court before.

He also said the couple wanted to respect Canadian wildlife and nature. In addition, he noted that Koski faced significant online criticism after the video went viral.

Hurst argued that the dog never attacked the bear and that Koski’s husband remained calm throughout the encounter.

Park officials say dogs must stay on leash

Crown attorney Caroline Lirette described the encounter as terrifying. Still, she said the case highlights why dogs must remain on leash in national parks.

“Animals can react unpredictably,” Lirette said, stressing that visitors have a duty to understand and follow park rules.

She added that keeping dogs on leash can reduce the chance of a dangerous encounter with wildlife.

According to Parks Canada, dogs must remain on leash at all times in national parks. In Banff, Jasper, Kootenay and Yoho national parks, dogs can use most trails and day-use areas unless restrictions are posted.

Court calls the incident more serious than it looked

Justice Indra Maharaj said Canadians value both outdoor recreation and wildlife protection.

However, she said those values must work together.

Maharaj recognized Koski’s sincere remorse. At the same time, she warned that wild animals can respond suddenly when they feel threatened.

The grizzly could also have had cubs nearby, she noted.

Fortunately, nobody was hurt and the bear was not harmed. Even so, Maharaj said the incident was more serious than it might first appear.

She explained that leash laws are not designed to make hiking harder. Instead, they help protect visitors and animals that may be nearby but out of sight.

Study highlights danger of dogs near bears

The case also comes as research raises concerns about dogs and bear encounters.

A recent study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management examined more than 300 conflicts involving dogs and bears. Researchers found that dogs started more than half of those encounters.

The reported conflicts resulted in the deaths of five people and 56 dogs.

As a result, wildlife officials continue to urge visitors to keep pets under control around bear habitat.

Parks Canada urges visitors to plan ahead

Giuliana Eljuri, a communications officer with the Banff field unit, said visitors should consider leaving dogs at home when camping, hiking or travelling in the backcountry.

She also urged people to check trail restrictions before heading out.

Most importantly, she reminded visitors that their choices can affect both people and wildlife.

“Your actions matter,” Eljuri said.

Parks Canada also warns that feeding, enticing or disturbing wildlife is illegal in a national park. That includes allowing a dog to chase wildlife.

For hikers, the message is simple: enjoy Banff, keep dogs leashed and give wildlife plenty of space.