Evacuations are underway around two fast-growing wildfires in B.C.’s Interior, one near the Okanagan Lake and another in the East Kootenay.
Two separate evacuation orders have been issued as the out-of-control Bradley Creek wildfire threatens communities around the northern end of Okanagan Lake near Vernon, B.C.
The Okanagan Indian Band ordered residents in the Head of the Lake area and other properties threatened by the Bradley Creek fire to leave immediately Saturday evening.
The order applies to residents north of Bonneau Road and south of Highway 97, those along Head of the Lake and Hawhola roads, and properties extending to the boundary of Okanagan Indian Band IR No. 1.
The band has not said how many properties are covered by its order. It’s registered population is over 2,600.
A B.C. emergency alert said the fire was creating a significant risk to life. People north of the fire were directed to head toward Kal Tire Place in Vernon, while those south of the fire were told to head to the Westbank Lions Community Centre in West Kelowna.
The Regional District of North Okanagan issued a separate evacuation order at around 5:45 p.m. for nearly 20 addressed properties northeast of the lake. The district said everyone covered by that order must leave immediately.
More than two-dozen other properties in the area are on evacuation alert.
The Township of Spallumcheen, just north of the Okanagan Lake, has also issued an evacuation order due to the wildfire Saturday night. Residents in the area between Highway 97, Grandview Flats Road and Otter Lake Road are being told to leave immediately.
The township has also introduced Stage 3 water restrictions to preserve water for firefighting. It warned that embers have been carried into other parts of Spallumcheen and urged residents to watch for spot fires.
Westside Road is closed in both directions between Barcelona Drive and Fred Road due to the wildfire.
The out of control Bradley Creek wildfire has grown to more than 10 square kilometres (1,047 hectares) since it was discovered on Friday.
The B.C. Wildfire Service said winds gusting up to 70 km/h pushed the fire east toward Westside Road and Okanagan Lake.
Ground crews and helicopters are working the fire, but the wildfire service said boaters have been getting too close to aircraft collecting water from Okanagan Lake. It is urging people to clear the area and remain close to shore when firefighting aircraft are operating.
In southeastern B.C., a newly discovered wildfire just east of Kimberley has prompted tactical evacuations and highway closures in southeastern B.C.
The Wait Creek wildfire was discovered Saturday morning and had grown to 160 hectares by the evening. It has been designated as a wildfire of note.
The fire is burning between Kimberley and Ta Ta Creek.
The Regional District of East Kootenay said officials were going door to door and directing residents closest to the fire in the Ta Ta Creek neighbourhood to leave immediately.
A tactical evacuation is used when an immediate threat to life leaves no time to prepare or issue written warnings.
B.C. Wildfire Service says the fire was burning at Rank 4, involving vigorous surface fire burning at a moderate to fast rate of spread.
