BURST
Firefighters in B.C. are facing extremely dry and hot conditions as they battle a new fast-spreading wildfire in Peachland that led to evacuations and the province’s only wildfire of note east of Harrison Lake.
The B.C. Interior remains under a heat warning Thursday, with temperatures expected to be in the mid-to-high 30s, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
Residents in the Okanagan Valley, Fraser Canyon, South Thompson, Boundary, and West Kootenay regions will be feeling the heat at night as well, with overnight lows of 18 C.
Here’s an update on the wildfire situation for Thursday, July 31:
Wildfire east of Harrison Lake now considered wildfire of note
The B.C. Wildfire service says the out-of-control Bear Creek fire, located east of Harrison Lake, is now considered B.C.’s sole wildfire of note, which means it has become a serious concern for firefighters.
It’s believed the 0.65-square-kilometre-blaze, which broke out Tuesday, was caused by humans.
Campers in the vicinity were asked to leave the area as a precaution. Travellers may encounter traffic control along the East Harrison Forest Service Road.
According to the latest update Wednesday night, fire crews bucketed the flames overnight using night vision imaging technology.
The public is asked to stay out of the Harrison Lake area for their own safety and the safety of responders.
Evacuations underway for wildfire near Peachland
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says evacuations are underway for about 400 properties due to a wildfire burning between Peachland and West Kelowna.
The fire has also forced the closure of stretches of highways 97 and 97C in the area.
Police are urging boaters to stay out of Okanagan Lake on Wednesday as crews battle the new wildfire on Drought Hill in Peachland.
The B.C. Wildfire Service reported the blaze in the Kamloops Fire Centre on Wednesday. It is out of control and estimated at about 50,000 square metres, or roughly 10 football fields, in size.
Evacuees can temporarily report to the Peachland Community Centre, while a muster centre has been opened at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna for those who cannot reach the other centre.
Wildfire near Lytton continues to spread
The size of the o ut-of-control Cantilever Bar wildfire, burning about 10 kilometres south of Lytton on the west side of the Fraser River, has grown to 6.5 square kilometres in size, up from 4.6 sq. km. Wednesday and 1.5 sq. km. on Tuesday.
Evacuation alerts remain in place for four areas, issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, the Lytton First Nation, the Siska Indian Band and the Skuppah Indian Band.
Lytton Mayor Denise O’Connor told Postmedia Wednesday that fire is far away from town and that it’s not a concern.
“It’s worrisome in that the smell of the smoke, the sight of the flames and helicopters can be triggering for people with anxiety and PTSD from the 2021 fire,” she said. “But as far as the fire itself coming into the village, it’s not a concern.”
Hot and dry weather remains a concern for firefighters as the Fraser Canyon remains under a heat warning Thursday, with temperatures expected in the high 30s.
New wildfire ignites on Vancouver Island
The B.C. Wildfire Service is responding to the province’s latest blaze, a wildfire that broke out on Vancouver Island Wednesday, southwest of Qualicum Beach.
The Wesley Ridge wildfire is considered out of control.
More to come …
With files from Cheryl Chan and The Canadian Press