Key facts
- Homes destroyed
- 30 band homes, 200 non-band homes
- Evacuation orders
- 37 orders affecting 8,000 people
- Active wildfires in B.C.
- About 120, with roughly 50 out of control
- Wind gusts
- Up to 115 km/h
- Power outages
- 1,700 customers without power; at least 150 poles to replace
Background
Wildfires have been bearing down on communities in British Columbia’s North Okanagan region, forcing residents to flee their homes. The Bradley Creek wildfire, which started late Friday, prompted evacuation orders on Saturday, according to Okanagan Indian Band Chief Dan Wilson.
The fire spread rapidly, with winds gusting up to 115 kilometres an hour. Chief Wilson said some band members had only five minutes to evacuate. The BC Wildfire Service reported about 120 active wildfires in the province as of Tuesday, with roughly 50 burning out of control.
Major fires are also active in the Fraser Canyon, Thompson-Nicola and East Kootenay regions, near communities including Boston Bar, Clinton and Kimberley.
Current situation
As of Tuesday, Chief Wilson said 30 homes of band members and 200 non-band homes have been destroyed in the wildfire. He described the event as “surreal” and said the scope of destruction was just sinking in.
The Regional District of North Okanagan expanded evacuation orders on Tuesday, adding more than 40 properties because the fire blocked some road escape routes. Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, said the province has 37 evacuation orders in place, affecting 8,000 people.
The wildfire also caused extensive damage to power lines, with at least 150 poles needing to be replaced and 1,700 customers still without power, according to BC Hydro. Jeff Dunn, fire centre manager in the Kamloops region, said the Bradley Creek fire had not grown much since the cold front moved through on Sunday, and crews were working to establish control lines.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Homes destroyed (band) | 30 |
| Homes destroyed (non-band) | 200 |
| Evacuation orders | 37 |
| People affected by evacuation orders | 8,000 |
| Active wildfires in B.C. | 120 |
| Wildfires out of control | 50 |
| Wind gusts (km/h) | 115 |
| Power poles to replace | 150 |
| Customers without power | 1,700 |
Impacts
Evacuees are receiving help from volunteers like Gena Barzan, who turned her thrift store in Vernon into an essential-goods supplier. She and her volunteers are providing donated toiletries, snacks and pet supplies to hundreds of neighbours affected by the fire.
Barzan said many evacuees are in need of comfort as well as supplies. “We hold them and tell them, we’re very sorry, and just try to comfort them and help them with whatever we can,” she said. “You feel for these people because they’ve lost everything.”
Reserve resident Louis Fred and his wife, Shorty, said they barely made it out on Saturday, with wind-driven flames close behind. “I’ve been living here all my life, and I’ve really never seen anything like this one here, this weekend here,” Fred said, comparing it to the 2021 fire season.
Future outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
Officials warn conditions are likely to worsen this week. The southern Interior is expected to enter drought conditions with hot temperatures and dry lightning, which could create new fire starts and exacerbate existing wildfires, according to Cliff Chapman, director of provincial operations for the BC Wildfire Service.
If the weather shifts as predicted, the Bradley Creek fire could grow again, making it harder for crews to contain it. Jeff Dunn said they are quickly trying to get control lines around the fire to hold it when the weather changes.
Volunteers like Barzan say they will continue providing food for people and pets for weeks, possibly months. “Vernon is a city, but it’s still a tight community. We know these people, most of them, we’ve seen them, we’ve talked to them. It’s personal,” she said.
Source: theglobeandmail.com
खबर को बेहतर समझें
आंकड़े, तुलना और घटनाक्रम—एक ही जगह, बिना अनुमान के
Wildfire impact figures
Power poles to replace150
सटीक आंकड़े देखें
| श्रेणी | Value |
|---|---|
| Homes destroyed (band) | 30 |
| Homes destroyed (non-band) | 200 |
| Evacuation orders | 37 |
| People affected by evacuation orders | 8,000 |
| Active wildfires in B.C. | 120 |
| Wildfires out of control | 50 |
| Wind gusts (km/h) | 115 |
| Power poles to replace | 150 |
स्रोत:theglobeandmail.com स्रोत-समर्थित
