6 wildfires near Slocan Lake continue to pose challenge to firefighters, displaced residents

Fire crews and residents are staying positive in the face six significant wildfires and multiple evacuation orders in the B.C. Interior’s Slocan Lake area.

The order for Slocan, which went into effect Sunday, covers all 208 properties in the village, as well as 309 properties in the surrounding area.

Slocan is about 300 kilometres east of Kelowna and has a population of nearly 400 people. There were six wildfires burning in the area Monday, including two particularly close to the community, forcing the evacuation order.

In an update Sunday, the incident commander organizing the fight against the wildfires said about 300 crew members were on the ground fighting the flames but heavy smoke affected how often aircraft could be used.

“Over the next few days its critical to us to keep a sharp eye on the weather conditions, as we’ve got crews and aviation assets out there fighting the fires,” said Jason Lawler with Slocan Lake Complex Wildfires.

“What we expect to see is not much change in the weather conditions over the next few days and the weather conditions aren’t great at the moment, but we’ve got a keen eye on what we’re doing, making sure the safety of the emergency responders and the community is at the front of their minds.”

Residents of Slocan, Silverton, and a handful of rural municipalities in the area were told to leave their homes and get to safety starting on July 19.

Sara Wearmouth of Silverton says she’s still in disbelief after the view of flames from her village.

“When I look now at pictures that first night, it’s amazing,” said Wearmouth.

She works in the neighbouring town of New Denver, and currently lives there as it’s only under an evacuation alert, as opposed to an order. Wearmouth says it has been a tough few days since Silverton was ordered to evacuate on July 24, but she’s trying to stay positive.

“Right now I just have to stay in the moment, and stay calm and collected,” she said.

There are currently about 360 active wildfires in the province. The BC Wildfire Service says recent rainfall and cooler temperatures have helped reduce fire behaviour on some of the major fires crews have been tackling, but adds the wildfire situation is dynamic and conditions can change rapidly.