B.C. on ‘precipice of challenging 72 hours,’ Wildfire Service says

Over 250 wildfires are burning in British Columbia as much of the province continues to bake under a heat wave that is expected to last into next week.

The BC Wildfire Service’s Cliff Chapman says the province appears to be “on the precipice of a very challenging 72 hours” with hot and dry weather, dry lightning, and strong winds in the forecast.

Parts of B.C. are expected to see temperatures in the mid- to high-30s over the coming days, along with overnight lows in the mid-teens.

Chapman’s warning comes as roughly 90 new wildfires were sparked within the last 24 hours.

Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma says the most threatening blaze was the Shetland Creek fire, requiring tactical evacuations. 

Thompson-Nicola Regional District expanded its evacuation order to at least 85 properties in the Venables Valley area due to the immediate danger posed by the Shetland Creek wildfire, which has grown to 50 square kilometres in size. 

The TNRD evacuation orders and alerts come after the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band issued an evacuation order for its Nicoelton Reserve on Tuesday night. The Band issued the order “in the interest of life and safety.”

Those evacuation orders and alerts were expanded on Wednesday night. “If you are in these areas you must leave immediately. Residents to register with ESS at address on the notice,” Kúkpi7 Chief Christine Walkem said on social media.

The BCWS says the fire danger rating remains moderate to high across the province after unstable, hot, and dry weather conditions. 

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