B.C. Wildfire: Evacuation orders in Laidlaw, Hunter Creek could be lifted soon

Cooler temperatures paired with a chance of rain Tuesday may allow wildfire evacuation orders to be lifted in Laidlaw and Hunter Creek near Hope.

Paula Walbauer, a fire information officer with the BC Wildfire Service, says crews will be meeting with the District of Hope later Tuesday to discuss the possibility of people being able to return to their homes.

“We’ll be working on relooking at those evacuation alert centre orders, so you may see something later [Tuesday],” said Walbauer.

BC Wildfire Service crews fight the Flood Falls Trail fire near Hope on Sept. 12, 2022. (Courtesy BC Wildfire Service)

On top of that, Walbauer says the weather forecast in the Lower Mainland is overall good news for the wildfire.

“I think the lower temperatures and that little bit of showers [are] really going to assist our crews and our teams being able to access safely those lower elevations.”

“I don’t know that we’re going to change any of our tactics due to that. It’s just going to improve what we’re already doing.”

The Flood Falls Trail wildfire near Hope is still considered out of control after slight growth in the last 24 hours. As of Tuesday, it was estimated to be 545 hectares.

Highway 1 between Bridal Falls and Flood Hope road reopened Monday afternoon when crews were able to get a better handle on the area after it was closed due to the fire.

The stretch of the highway is open to one lane of traffic in both directions with reduced speed limits in place.

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The Heather Lake wildfire near Manning Park is also still considered out of control.

It’s estimated to be over 10,900 hectares.

Light showers hit the area Monday and are expected later Tuesday, but Walbauer says the smoke is still bad and is causing visibility issues on portions of Highway 3.

“We’re still expecting some cloudy conditions and smoke to continue.”

Walbauer adds the BC Wildfire Service will also be in touch with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to discuss the possibility of lifting some evacuation orders in that area as well.

With files from Kareem Gouda