KAMLOOPS, B.C.—British Columbia officials are bracing for a lengthy wildfire season as hundreds of blazes burn across the province with no reprieve in sight.
About 14,000 people have been displaced by more than 200 wildfires, and Bob Turner of Emergency Management BC said the situation is still deteriorating and the province remains prepared for the possibility of mass evacuations.
“We are looking at many weeks to come of a very challenging environment and public safety will remain the overriding priority of government,” he said.
The Cariboo Regional District expanded an evacuation order on July 10 to cover the Alexis Creek and West Fraser areas in addition to the Kleena Kleene region.
An evacuation alert—which puts residents on notice that they may have to leave with little warning—has been issued for the more than 10,000 residents of Williams Lake. Municipal officials had warned that wind in the forecast could push fires toward the city at a “rapid pace.”
However, BC Wildfire Service chief information officer Kevin Skrepnek said July 12 that while the incoming system will bring lightning, it is also expected to carry some rain.
