People in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., have been asked to temporarily stop using washing machines, dishwashers and sprinklers after a weekend apartment fire forced firefighters to draw heavily from the community’s water supply.
The blaze broke out on Saturday at the Spieker Apartments building and quickly engulfed 51 units. Flames also spread to nearby woods, which the public has been asked to stay away from because of the risk of weakened trees falling due to high winds.
The fire came as nearby wildfires have forced evacuations and cut off road travel, fuelled in part by an ongoing drought that is entering its third year.
Mayor Darryl Krakowka says there were no injuries reported in the fire, but that having so many people displaced in the small community of just over 2,300 people in northeast B.C. was impacting the entire municipality.
“It’s a pretty small, close-knit community and to me that is family,” he said. “I want to make sure they know all the community is here for them.”
Food and clothing drives as well as fundraising efforts are well underway, but because of the small size of Tumbler Ridge, some displaced residents are having to seek support services in the neighbouring community of Dawson Creek, about 100 kilometres away by road.
Additionally, the effort of fighting the fire — which included overnight monitoring for spot fires in the nearby woods over the weekend — have depleted the district’s water supply.
“Our water reservoirs are extremely low due to ongoing fire suppression efforts, and conservation is critical at this time,” the district said in a written update posted to Facebook Sunday.
“We are asking all residents to restrict water usage immediately, including indoor uses such as washing machines, dishwashers, and non-essential activities.”
The update also said the community is still working to get a clear picture of how many people have been displaced.
Fire Chief Dustin Curry said the depletion was solely due to the apartment fire, as B.C. Wildfire Service crews use other water sources.
Tumbler Ridge is among numerous communities in northeastern B.C. under significant wildfire threat as the region enters its third straight year of significant drought conditions, causing the area to be extremely susceptible to burns.
Wildfire crews in the region are dealing with several significant blazes, including the nearby Kiskatinaw River wildfire, which has forced the evacuation of Kelly Lake, 81 kilometres east of Tumbler Ridge.
That fire is moving eastward and has spread into Alberta.
