By Duane Grandbois

Mid-Sunday Forest Fire Summary: Update Coming

Jul 9, 2017 | 11:12 AM

Here`s the latest we have regarding the more than 180 wildfires burning across B.C. today.

As reported earlier on Saturday, nearly 100 new fires sprang up and the province had to summon all the personnel it could to battle the flames, keep people safe as well as protect property.

Some stats gathered from Global News Kelowna says more than 1,000 firefighters are on scene, supported by heavy equipment and helicopters.

Another 600 personnel are backing them up, plus some 200 contractors. Other provinces have responded confirming an additional 260 firefighters are en route for relief.

The province is still in a state of emergency and there may be no relief in sight as conditions in parts of B.C. stay tinder dry and winds threaten to stoke a number of existing fires.

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Fires have forced thousands of people from their homes in the communities of Cache Creek, 100 Mile House, 105 Mile House, 108 Mile House, 150 Mile House and the Alexis Creek area. Ashcroft were under an evacuation alert although some opted to leave to be safe.

Cariboo Regional District office do not have precise evacuee numbers as of this printing but estimate as many as 6000 were forced to flee their homes.

More evacuation orders and alerts came in overnight, including in Williams Lake where several fires continue to burn out of control.

Global News expands in their report that the communities of Alexis Creek and Hanceville along Highway 20, as well as the Lexington subdivision, between Williams Lake and 150 Mile House, have been evacuated. There are also reports that some houses on Lexington Road have been destroyed.

In 100 Mile House, the Gustafsen Wildfire has scorched more than 4,200 hectares and could grow depending on wind conditions.

We were unable to get confirmation from our main contact at BC Wildfire Service, however Global quotes Fire Information officer Heather Rice as saying “The wind is picking up, worst-case scenarios are strong winds, gusty winds coming from the west or from the east.”

More than 60 firefighters are back on scene in Princeton today to fight a fire that has now scorched at least 1,500 hectares.

Officials aren’t sure how many properties have burned down but the fire is still about 10 kilometres from the town of Princeton. Residents in the area have been told they may have to leave at a moment’s notice.
Fire has also prompted evacuation orders for the entire village of Cache Creek. Fourteen more properties on Scottie Creek Road were also ordered out Saturday night. All 30 trailers in the Boston Flats mobile home park have also been decimated.

Cliff Chapman, the deputy manager at the Kamloops Fire Centre, told Global Saturday was a day he’d never forget.

“I’ve been in this business for 17 years, from crew all the way up to where I am now, and I haven’t experienced a day like we experienced yesterday,” he said.

With appreciation to Global News Kelowna for assistance with pertinent information and quotes.

by Duane Grandbois