DRONES HELP CLIMBER RESCUE

SQUAMISH — Two drones played key roles in the nighttime rescue of a climber stranded 77 metres up a British Columbia cliff face this week — one helping deliver a rope and the other lighting the way.

Squamish Search and Rescue says in a social media statement that the rescue happened Wednesday night on the famed Stawamus Chief some 60 kilometres north of Vancouver.

It says the climber became stranded on a climbing route known as the “Alaska Highway,” described by climbers community Mountain Project as a 167-metre climb with “an imposing system of overhanging corners and chimneys.”

Squamish Search and Rescue says the climber was stranded while secured to an anchor attached to the cliff but did not have a rope.

Rescuers were also challenged by darkness, the scale of the terrain and “significant” rockfall exposure for a traditional rope rescue.

That was when rescue crews deployed the two drones, one illuminating the rock face with a floodlight and the other delivering a messenger line to the climber, which was attached to a rope the climber used to rappel to the ground.

“A jacket was also sent up to help keep him warm while the rescue was underway,” Squamish Search and Rescue says in its statement.

“This was a great example of the value of an established drone program — and how the right tools, used in the right circumstances, can help reduce risk for both rescuers and those we’re called to help.”

MAN CHARGED IN B.C. SHOOTINGS

SURREY — Police in Surrey, B.C., say a man is facing numerous charges after four shootings in the Metro Vancouver city, including three shots-fired incidents at the same home.

The shootings at the home on 140A Street happened last December, with an assailant reportedly firing shots from inside a vehicle.

No one was hurt, but police say a more recent shooting involving an attacker who fired at two people outside a home near 60 Avenue and 177 Street on Aug. 12 did result in one of the victims suffering minor injuries.

Police say provincial prosecutors approved 12 charges against a 37-year-old man on Aug. 24, including three counts of recklessly discharging a gun and three counts of possessing a gun contrary to an order.

Ten additional charges were approved on Sept. 4 in relation to the shooting last month, including two counts of firing a gun, one count of aggravated assault and one count of carrying a gun knowing its serial number had been altered or removed.

Police say the accused is waiting for a bail hearing and remains in custody until his next scheduled court appearance on Sept. 16.

Two earlier police statements about the shootings say investigators did not believe they were linked to ongoing gang conflict in the region or extortion violence targeting South Asian community members.

LANDFILL FIRE HEALTH CONCERN

CALGARY — A stubborn, smouldering landfill fire in southeast Calgary has now become a public health concern, with smoke drifting into nearby neighbourhoods.

The city’s fire department says smoke from the ECCO Recycling landfill fire has worsened to the point that seniors and others at risk should go indoors if they see or smell smoke.

Others downwind of the blaze may feel eye, nose and throat irritation or coughing and headaches, the fire department said.

Crews were called to the fire Sunday and soon after it was declared under control.

James Docherty, assistant deputy fire chief, said the fire then rekindled deep inside the piles of material at the site.

“That is indicative of a fire that is burning hot; it’s just going deeper into the pile,” he said, explaining why it has continued to burn for so long.

Given that the fire is deep inside the material, enduring the more than 11 million litres of water being poured on it each day, nearby communities are likely to see smoke and vapour for a few more days, Docherty said.

It’s still unclear how the fire began or what inside the material pile is burning, but Docherty said the blaze isn’t growing.

The province brought in air monitoring equipment Wednesday, but has not had average readings above air quality guidelines.

Regardless, the fire department said to be careful of smoke exposure and to keep air filters clean.

» The Canadian Press