A blaze that prompted the evacuation of more than a dozen properties in British Columbia’s southern Interior over the weekend is the province’s latest wildfire of note, as hot and dry conditions and the threat of thunderstorms continue over many parts of the province.
On Saturday evening, the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District issued an evacuation order for 16 properties near Highway 3 south of Princeton, B.C., due to the out–of-control Calcite Creek fire. The order, as well as an evacuation alert for nearby Eastgate and Placer Creek, are still in effect Monday, according to the district.
The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) has since designated the 41-square-kilometre blaze a wildfire of note, which means it is highly visible or poses potential threat to public safety. It is one of around 330 active fires in B.C. as of Monday afternoon.
“There certainly has been impact to the community and you’ll see that in the evacuation order and alert,” said Emelie Peacock, a BCWS information officer. “And we also have crews very focused on that wildfire.”
There are currently 58 firefighters as well as two helicopters and air tankers responding to the Calcite Creek fire, according to the BCWS. It also said there are also structure protection crews in the Pasayten Valley and Eastgate to “assess structures within the evacuation alert area.”
Peacock attributed the fire’s growth to the hot and dry conditions that persisted through the weekend.
She also said Monday that this type of weather as well as thunderstorms, which could bring more lightning strikes and “erratic” wind, are set to continue through the week. Lightning is the main cause of wildfire ignitions in B.C.
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the southeastern corner of the province, from Arrow Lakes eastward and as far north as Valemount, warning of the potential for damaging wind gusts and hail.
Wildfires merging near Slocan Lake
The Aylwin Creek fire and the Komonko Creek blaze near Slocan Lake merged on Saturday, according to the BCWS, meaning there are still eight wildfires of note in the province. It estimates the combined wildfire to be 32 square kilometres.
On Monday, the service said there is a risk to Highway 6 because of “rolling debris” from the slope where the fire is burning. The highway in the area is closed, with crews patrolling it and directly attacking hot spots around structures.
There could also be greater fire behaviour Monday afternoon due to increased wind, BCWS said.
Elsewhere in the area, the Regional District of Central Kootenay said crews are holding off on doing any ignition operations related to the Ponderosa wildfire until at least Thursday.
Shetland Creek fire ‘concern for rest of summer’
Over the weekend, the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) expanded evacuation orders due to the Shetland Creek fire, another wildfire of note, this one measured at 264 square kilometres.
Kevin Skrepnek, director of the TNRD’s Emergency Operations Centre, told CBC News that the Sunday update put 88 addresses north of Lytton on evacuation order. He said it’s difficult to gauge the exact number of people affected because the area includes both recreational and primary residences.
There are also around 220 properties on evacuation alert, Skrepnek said.
“Given the size of this fire, given the area it’s burning in, I expect it’s going to be an ongoing concern throughout the rest of the summer,” he said.
More broadly, he said his district is seeing a pronounced drought with no relief in sight in terms of rain. He added that he’s expecting lightning and potentially some wind Monday, which could worsen fire activities.
“Given that lack of reprieve in the weather, we have to anticipate that the situation is going to get worse before it gets better across the region as a whole,” Skrepnek said.