Firefighters battle 5000-hectare blaze near Ashcroft BC as 306 fires burn

B.C. wildfire crews continued battling more than 300 blazes Sunday morning, with a significant focus on controlling a 5,000-hectare fire near Ashcroft in the province's central interior.

The blaze near Ashcroft, raging just 8.5 kilometres south of the town, saw firefighters struggling all night to contain an "out of control" wildfire, which has put the municipality of Ashcroft and Ashcroft Indian Band land under evacuation alert.

"Crews worked throughout the night to establish control lines with heavy equipment and Structure Protection personnel are on site today," the B.C. Wildfire Service said on its website Sunday morning. "The overnight crews reinforced the heavy machine guard on the west side of the fire and it was held throughout the day.

"However, the east flank of the fire is being significantly challenged by winds."

Meanwhile, authorities pleaded Sunday with residents fleeing smoky skies to stay with friends or family, in order to leave hotel rooms free for actual wildfire evacuees with "no other option."

Almost a third of the current 306 active fires are in the Kamloops region, according to provincial data. There are also significant wildfires burning in the Prince George fire region and in the province's southeast.

More evacuation orders issued

Amid a growing number of evacuation orders, Emergency Management B.C. issued a statement Sunday asking people in areas with poor air quality to avoid relocating to different cities. Instead, the agency advised people in smoky areas should stay indoors, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and visit air-controlled public facilities such as community centres and libraries.

WATCH | Growing calls for B.C. to declare state of emergency over wildfires: More crews are on their way to help fight what's being called an unprecedented wildfire season in British Columbia. Now calls are growing for the province to declare a state of emergency. 2:54

At least two new evacuation orders have been issued since Saturday evening, including orders to leave 60 properties just west of Kamloops Lake in the Walhachin area, and another order to evacuate properties near Gustafsen and Neilson lakes near 100 Mile House. There are also new area restrictions on people visiting areas in the Cranbrook area.

UPDATE: The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCWildfire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCWildfire</a> Service continues to respond to the Tremont Creek (K21849) wildfire. The fire is estimated at 5,000 ha and is classified as Out of Control. Personnel will be working throughout the night to develop control lines. <a href="https://t.co/c64lcDqFi9">https://t.co/c64lcDqFi9</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ashcroft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ashcroft</a> <a href="https://t.co/45WG05rUwF">pic.twitter.com/45WG05rUwF</a>

&mdash;@BCGovFireInfo

More than 20 other communities remain under evacuation alerts, meaning residents must prepare to abandon their properties on short notice.

The province blames almost 400 of this year's more than 1,100 total wildfires on human activities, although lightning has been responsible for the majority of fires.

"Be extremely cautious when recreating in the backcountry and to not engage in any activity that could spark a wildfire," the B.C. Wildfire Service said in a tweet Saturday evening. "Extreme heat and persistent dryness across much of the province have raised wildfire risk to critical levels."

Anyone placed under an evacuation order must leave the area immediately. 

Evacuation centres have been set up throughout the province to assist anyone evacuating from a community under threat from a wildfire. To find the centre closest to you, visit the Emergency Management B.C. website.

Evacuees are encouraged to register online with Emergency Support Services, whether or not they access services at an evacuation centre.

Share this post