Vancouver rundown for Wednesday, July 17, 2024. Two wildfires continue to grow between Lytton
and Ashcroft. Both are burning north of Spences Bridge, with one reaching at least 300 hectares
late Tuesday afternoon. The Cooks Ferry Indian Band has issued an evacuation order.
Gusty Wind is expected to hinder efforts to contain those fires.
Other news, we now know 10 people have been displaced by that Monday evening fire that
destroyed two homes on Commercial Street, Denise Vancouver. One person suffered minor
smoke inhalation. The cause is still under investigation. A 52-year-old man from Haiti
who had been ordered to leave Canada after a student visa expired close to 20 years ago
has now been sentenced to 16 years in prison for killing his wife and dismembering her body.
Obnes Regis had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter and interfering with human remains.
Parts of the body of Naomi Onotara of Langley were found along the banks of the Fraser River
near Fort Langley weeks after she was reported missing. Onotara was the mother of an 18-month-old
baby and a much-loved teacher librarian at an elementary school in Surrey's Clayton Heights
neighborhood. A couple of horses have been corralled after wandering alone through the streets of
South Surrey Tuesday morning. They were spotted near Redwood Park and rounded up by the mouties.
After escaping from a 15-hectare field, both Arabians are okay. Inland highs may be in the
mid-30s Wednesday. This stretch of hot, dry weather continues right through until the middle of next
week. For all the details on these Vancouver area stories along with the links, go to
vancouverrondown.substack.com.