The Regional District of Central Kootenay says it has received reports that residents who have chosen to remain in the Slocan Lake wildfire complex, despite evacuation orders, are getting in firefighters’ way.
In a post to social media, the regional district asked residents who remained in the area to stay on their own property, and not travel to other locations within the evacuated area.
“While [fire] crews are working to install safety lines and guards to protect people and structures from wildfires, it is imperative the public does not interfere or enter these dangerous areas,” it said.
“Not only does it put the individual’s own safety at risk, it also slows down the [fire] crews and puts their safety at risk.”
Hundreds of people have been told to leave their homes in the southeast B.C. area as a number of out-of-control wildfires burn.
Evacuation orders cover the village of Slocan and a number of adjoining areas, with Highway 6 still closed in both directions from Silverton until just south of Slocan.
About 330 wildfires are active across B.C. as of Saturday afternoon, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS), most of which have been started by lightning.
The service adds more than 1,600 personnel are responding to wildfires across the province during the long weekend.
Hot, windy conditions Saturday
Environment Canada issued more than 20 heat warnings for communities across southern and coastal B.C. Saturday
In a situation report Saturday, the BCWS says it’s expecting hot and windy weather to affect fire conditions.
It added the southern third of B.C. is expected to see dry lightning and strong localized winds into the day, with hotter conditions spreading north.
It said on Sunday, forecasters predict a cold front to arrive from the north, and some parts of the province may see thunderstorms accompanied by light rainfall as a result.
On its website, Natural Resources Canada says human-caused climate warming will drive hot and dry weather to happen more often, creating conditions that make wildfires more likely. Researchers also expect climate change to increase lightning activity.
Wildfires disrupting tourism
Widlfires across the province and in Alberta have put a damper on some B.C. tourism businesses.
Donna Hamilton told Daybreak Kamloops Wednesday she owns a resort near Valemount, B.C., which includes five log cabins and a two-bedroom holiday home overlooking the Robson Valley. Normally, she said the summer is a busy season.
“We are flat out full from May 15 to October 15,” she said.
When the Jasper wildfires began in late July, her resort filled with evacuees heading west. Then, suddenly, it was empty.
“That’s kind of the way it’s been since, we’ll have one guest here and there,” she said.
She said travellers usually stay at the resort on trips that also include visits to Banff, Alta., and Golden, B.C. — but highway closures and wildfires have deterred visitors.
“It’s a real emotional thing because this is the time of year we make our money to survive through the winter,” she said. “This is the time we count on to carry us through those months. and we’re just not going to have it this year.”