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Hamilton Spectator
19-07-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Waskesiu still watching Buhl Fire closely after pre-evacuation alert
Conditions have been normal at the Waskesiu townsite this week after a wildfire and pre-evacuation alert was issued for Prince Albert National Park on Sunday. Waskesiu Community Council chair Jim Kerby Chair said on Friday that they are watching the Buhl Fire closely, but conditions been favourable. 'The townsite continues to have a good number of visitors,' Kerby said. 'It's been actually a pretty nice week up here all together. A little bit more smoke rolled in today, but the weather forecast is favourable to move it away from us for the weekend, and there may be some rain up near the fire area as well, so that's positive.' Kerby said the rain has stayed away for the most part, but in typical Saskatchewan fashion Elk Ridge got a downpour on Thursday evening and Waskesiu received virtually no precipitation. 'It's the hit and miss with thunderstorms as you understand,' Kerby said. 'We are certainly hoping to see some rain in the vicinity, especially on Sunday. While the townsite has had a good visitor numbers, Kerby said it's down from what they would normally expect in the middle of July. He said many of the hoteliers he spoke to on Thursday are fully booked. 'We continue to try and let people know that there's no threat to personal safety or property right now,' Kerby said. 'But, the situation needs to be carefully monitored and that's the way it is. 'I also think that our air quality here in Waskesiu has probably been no worse than in some cases.' Kerby said the Marina at Waskesiu posts a photo of the lake every morning and evening, so visitors thinking about making the trip can see conditions for themselves. 'You see from those photos that it's actually overall through the week been pretty good. It's a little smokier this week, but I can still see to the other side of the lake, so that means it's not terrible by any stretch,' he said. Kerby added that all of the community groups from the cottage owner, seasonal residents, Community Council and Chamber of Commerce are working together to make sure residents get information in a timely fashion. 'I think there's been considerable success there,' he said. The fire is being fought by a unified command between Parks Canada and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency who brief community leadership at 3:30 p.m. each day. 'They have also been providing a daily written bulletin and we are all going out of the way as organisations here to make sure that that's promptly on social media, promptly circulated just to keep everybody posted on what's happening in terms of fighting the fire and its progress,' he said. 'I'm very impressed with the team that's been brought together here.' SPSA Vice-President Steve Roberts said in a virtual press conference on Friday exactly what a unified command is. 'All of our senior staff that are working on that fire are now working alongside the senior staff from Parks Canada,' Roberts said. 'That means all of the management is reaching planning, the assessments, the resourcing gets coordinated so we don't get in each other's way.' He added that they try not to be on cross-purposes and have the same strategic objective for managing the Buhl Fire. He gave the example of it being cross jurisdiction like if they were fighting a fire with Alberta on the border. 'It just happens that Parks Canada is a different jurisdiction where they have their own authority. We have our own authority on our side, but we've agreed to work cooperatively together to make sure we get the best overall impact in this,' Roberts said. Kerby said that he is thankful for the professionalism exhibited by both the SPSA and Parks Canada. 'It's been really something to admire and done it under fairly intense conditions where you have to move very quick. I'm very impressed by the both the work they are doing and the efforts they have made at communication,' he said. According to an update on the Buhl Fire from Parks Canada, the fire remains 35 kilometers from the Waskesiu townsite. The Buhl Fire's first identified was caused by a lightning strike. It has since burned roughly 42,615 hectares – 8,470 hectares within park boundaries and 34,146 hectares on provincial Crown land. Current resources assigned to the incident include 96 personnel, eight helicopters, and 12 pieces of heavy equipment. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Irish Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Investigation launched after playground destroyed in 'mindless act of vandalism'
Gardai have launched an investigation after a suspected arson attack forced a local playground in Co Cork to close indefinitely. Gardaí and emergency crews were called to the Carrigtwohill Playground and Community Campus on Sunday evening following reports of a fire. The blaze broke out around 8pm when a piece of equipment was set alight and the fire quickly spread across an entire section of the playground. Firefighters rushed to the scene and worked bring the blaze under control before further damage could be done. Gardaí have confirmed that an investigation has been launched, and enquiries are ongoing. It's understood that the suspects may have been seen on CCTV, and the footage has been made available to Gardaí. Carrigtwohill Community Council said the fire, which they claimed "was intentionally set", caused "extensive damage" to the playground - which was built in 2020 following a substantial fundraising effort from the community - and "will take months and thousands of euros to repair." "To those mindless thugs who set this fire, you're on camera and will be dealt with by An Garda Siochana. Shame on you," a council spokesperson said in a statement shared on social media. Brian O'Reilly, Chairperson of Carrigtwohill Community Council, expressed his "profound sense of disappointment" at the act of vandalism which now means "young children will be deprived of a source of fun and play during the height of summer". "It was with a profound sense of disappointment that I learned of the fire that was started today in our Community Playground," he said. "Any vandalism of community amenities shows a lack respect not only for the charity and individual volunteers responsible for their maintenance, but also for the wider community who benefit greatly from their use. The damage caused today has been extensive and, as has been noted by others, it will take time and significant funds to rectify. "What is worse, however, is that local families and their young children will be deprived of a source of fun and play during the height of summer." Mr O'Reilly has urged anyone with information in relation to the fire to contact gardai. "I want to sincerely thank the Firefighters who attended to this incident and prevented what would likely have been much more significant damage," he said. "I would also like to thank the Gardaí who have already attended the scene and will be liaising with the Community Council and analysing CCTV footage in order to hold those responsible to account. "If you have any information that may be of use, please pass it on to the Gardaí and/or the Community Council itself. "Thankfully, amongst the vast majority of Carrigtwohill residents, community spirit is strong. We will repair. We will rebuild. And we will reopen the playground as soon as is possible, for the responsible enjoyment of all." Local councillor Anthony Barry said was "absolutely disgusted by this mindless act of vandalism" and that "this wonderful facility will now be closed for the immediate future." "Hopefully everything possible will be done to identify those responsible for this," he added. "Anyone with any information regarding this please report it to the relevant authorities." In a statement, a Garda spokesperson said: "Gardaí and emergency services attended a fire at the grounds of a community centre in Carrigtwohill Co. Cork, Sunday 6th July 2025. No injuries were reported. Enquiries are ongoing."
The National
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
53 community councils demand Scottish Highland energy projects pause
Councils from across the Highland region gathered both in person in Beauly and online on Saturday to discuss their concerns over the pace and the scale of projects such as windfarms, battery storage sites, and transmission lines. Representatives shared their widespread frustration at how applications are being handled by developers, the government, and national planners. Collectively, more than 72,000 residents from Skye to Caithness were represented by those gathered, which is being described as "the largest gathering of community councils in Highland Council history". READ MORE: 2031 Scotland census planning underway as public input sought on new questions The convention collectively called for a national planning inquiry and an immediate pause on major energy applications until their cumulative impact can be fully assessed. Speaking at Phipps Hall, Stuart Mills representing Halkirk and District Community Council listed concerns of his community, describing the area as "under siege". 'Caithness, and especially the Halkirk area, is under siege from energy projects. We must remind ourselves these are business ventures designed to make a profit.' 'Immediate action is needed to address the totality of all the developments and their supporting infrastructure,' he added. READ MORE: UK 'feeding Scotland poison pills', John Swinney says Speaking remotely, Mark Gibson of Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council said he and his team are provided with little support when faced with complex applications. Gibson shared: 'We are a small group of volunteers. Reading through hundred-page documents and engaging with multiple developers in a single year is simply beyond our capacity". He added: "There seems to be no one single energy strategy, just a year-by-year, scheme-by-scheme advancement with very little benefit showing for the local communities. 'We pay the highest prices in the UK for electricity, and that annoys many of our constituents when the energy is being generated or stored almost in their backyard.' SNP MSP Maree Todd (below), for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, responded to the convention's statement, and said she had written to Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Net Zero, Gillian Martin, following the meeting to request a response to the issues set out. She added: 'I have been engaging extensively with both the Scottish and UK Governments on a range of planning and regulatory matters. "These discussions have centred around the issue of cumulative impact of developments on communities, the safety and regulation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and the importance of meaningful and ongoing community engagement throughout the planning process. 'I remain committed to raising these issues at every opportunity, ensuring that the views and concerns of my constituents are clearly heard and given full weight in all decision-making." READ MORE: Art workshop helps refugee women to celebrate 'strength found in community' Tory MSP Edward Mountain, for the Highlands and Islands, also responded, telling campaigners: 'I have long said that it is essential we do not sacrifice the Highlands on the altar of net zero.
North Wales Chronicle
10-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
New Anglesey basketball court opened by Valley brothers
Kieran and Ryan Jones were instrumental in the creation of the court in their home village of Valley after the Community Council approached them for ideas on how to redevelop the area. Kieran, who is hoping to compete in the F34 shot put at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, was the one who suggested the space be used for basketball. He said: "They contacted us to ask what would we recommend for the community, and I said, 'What about a basketball court?"' "Sport has changed my life and it's important that we start at grassroots level. "I'm 23 now, but when I was growing up there was nothing like that nearby. "I had to travel everywhere, you had to book a court - so it's great that it's just there on your doorstep." The sportsman, who recently won the British Universities F34 shot put title and is the reigning Welsh champion, believes the court will inspire future generations to pursue their sporting dreams. The brothers, who both have hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), a neurological disorder that affects the hip and leg muscles, have been heavily involved in sports from a young age. They have both represented Wales in wheelchair basketball and have made sporting success part of their lives despite their condition. Former Coleg Menai students Ryan and Kieran Jones on the new basketball court at Parc Mwd with Councillor Neil Tuck (Image: Coleg Menai) They attended Coleg Menai's Llangefni campus, with Kieran studying between 2020 and 2022, while Ryan completed his Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair studies last year. Despite his own challenges, Kieran is determined to inspire others with his story, saying: "The amount of setbacks I've had, the amount of times I've cried to my parents… setbacks make you stronger, but barriers are there to be broken, not to stop you. "You've got to push through that and you'll achieve what you want to if you keep going." READ MORE: Welsh Deputy First Minister praises Anglesey farm's sustainable practices Having completed his first year of a BSc in Sports Coaching at Cardiff Met University, Kieran returned home to cut the ribbon on the new basketball court in Parc Mwd, on behalf of Valley Community Council. At the opening ceremony, Councillor Neil Tuck, the council's chairman, thanked all stakeholders who made the project possible through their support. He also offered special thanks to G L Jones, the builders behind the project, and Lagan Aviation Infrastructure Ltd, who supplied all the infrastructure for free. Swish Coaching Ltd also attended the ceremony, offering a free coaching session for young people.
Leader Live
20-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Bangor on Dee debris set to be cleared amid concerns
Bangor Bridge in Bangor on Dee is a historic, Grade One listed monument that the local community is keen to protect. Several residents including members of Bangor on Dee Community Council contacted Wrexham MP, Andrew Ranger to express concern about the build-up of debris in the river following the autumn and winter storms, which had settled and blocked part of the bridge. It was unclear who was responsible for the land under the bridge which was important for the MP and his team to establish. The blockages are affecting two of the four arches. The Debris at Bangor on Dee bridge. (Image: UGC) The MP's office convened a meeting last week involving Cadw, Wrexham County Borough Council, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and members of the Community Council to discuss what could be done. At the meeting NRW confirmed that the debris did not present a flood risk to the village and had modelling to share with residents to show this. It was estimated by Wrexham Borough Council that the weight of the debris was 600 tonnes, the equivalent of around 100 African elephants and was therefore putting pressure on the bridge which, though built in 1658, has medieval foundations. Cadw expressed concern that if left unaddressed, the debris has the potential to cause damage to the historic bridge. All parties agreed to work together to address the problem with removal of the debris to be undertaken by Wrexham Council. Mr Ranger said: 'Residents and community councillors were rightly concerned about the impact of the debris on the bridge and the river, as well as the impression it gives to the multitudes of tourists who come to admire the village's stunning scenery every year. MOST READ: "The meeting last week has hopefully answered their questions and brought a resolution to this particular issue. I know that the groups involved will continue to collaborate and communicate going forward which is another positive outcome.' Following extensive lobbying from Andrew Ranger MP, Bangor on Dee Community Council, local borough councillors, and Bangor on Dee residents, Cadw announced they would be providing a grant for the removal of the debris with the rest funded by Wrexham Council The work is expected to begin at the end of July.
