B.C.’s active wildfire count climbs as smoke descends on Metro Vancouver
Posted August 1, 2021 10:35 am.
Last Updated August 1, 2021 3:02 pm.
KAMLOOPS (NEWS 1130) — B.C.’s active wildfire count has climbed up to 245, with 14 fires sparked in the last two days.
The latest fire that’s been added to the fires of note is Garrison Lake, with the last estimate reported to be over 8,000 hectares.
The Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District has issued an evacuation order for residents.
Crazy Creek Gorge fire, east of Kamloops continues to spread. Early in its stages, it has burnt over 17,000 hectares. An evacuation order has been put in place there as well.
As for the largest fires, just North of Kamloops at Sparks Lake, over 65,000 hectares have been scorched, while the Lynn Creek fire is estimated to have burned over 48,000 hectares.
Fire Information Officer Erika Berg says the increase in reported wildfires comes following a bone dry spring and July.
Meanwhile, while Metro Vancouver appears to have avoided the worst of the heat, but the wildfire smoke has become the region’s latest concern.
Saturday’s storm system was enough to prompt the cancellation of heat warnings in the region and killed the ground-level ozone alert that Metro Vancouver had in place, caused by direct sunlight.
Related Article: Metro Vancouver heat warnings come to an end
However, the latest modelling shows wildfire smoke from our province and Washington State is set to invade airspace in significant quantities throughout Sunday.
The forecast shows parts of the eastern suburbs and the Fraser Valley will see large amounts of smoke head into the region late this afternoon.
Metro Vancouver says it is keeping close tabs on the situation, noting air quality has the potential to change very quickly.
