British Columbia Wildfires Expand as Thousands Face Evacuation Orders
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Wildfires intensified across British Columbia over the weekend, forcing more than 5,000 people to leave their homes within 24 hours as rapidly changing winds and extremely dry conditions fuelled several out-of-control blazes.
The Bradley Creek wildfire, burning near the northern end of Okanagan Lake west of Vernon, more than doubled in size over the weekend. The fire expanded from approximately 10 square kilometres to about 26 square kilometres, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
Evacuation orders were issued for communities within the Okanagan Indian Band, Splatsin First Nation and the Township of Spallumcheen. Authorities also ordered residents in several properties along Irish Creek Road to leave immediately because of the danger posed by the Bradley Creek and Six Mile Creek wildfire.
The Okanagan Indian Band issued an emergency alert after the fire crossed Westside Road and threatened the Head of the Lake area. Residents north of the wildfire were directed toward emergency reception centres in Vernon, while those souths of the fire were instructed to evacuate toward West Kelowna.
Provincial wildfire officials said gusty and unpredictable winds contributed to the fire’s aggressive growth. Wind gusts of up to 80 kilometres per hour were reported in the Okanagan region, creating rapid changes in fire direction and making containment efforts more difficult.
British Columbia also recorded more than 2,200 lightning strikes within 24 hours, leading to 22 suspected lightning-caused wildfires. Ten of those fires remained classified as out of control, while the others had been brought under control, held or extinguished.
Officials warned that fire conditions remain highly volatile and urged residents to follow evacuation instructions, avoid restricted areas and monitor updates from EmergencyInfoBC, local authorities and the BC Wildfire Service.
