Strong winds in forecast cause for concern as BC wildfire situation continues

WILLIAMS LAKE (NEWS 1130) – Crews say there are now 188 wildfires burning across BC and firefighters are capitalizing on good weather to build guards against the ones still threatening homes in the Cariboo.

16 new fires were sparked yesterday and according to the province.

Active fires are not fully under control yet, but Chief Information Officer Kevin Skrepnek with the BC Wildfire Service says progress has been made on some which have been threatening homes.

“The Princeton fire estimated at 2,700 hectares [is]10 percent containment. The Gustafsen wildfire near 100 Mile House, estimated at 5,000 hectares with 15 percent containment. The Wildwood fire near Williams Lake, estimated at 2,500 hectares, with 40 percent containment.”

So far, the BC Wildfire Service has spent close to $70M on firefighting efforts this year.

“Currently estimated at 66.6-million dollars spent since April 1st,” says Skrepnek, who adds year-to-date, 617 fires have scorched more than 1100 square kilometres of land.

Weather remains a concern, however, as more wind in the forecast could spread existing flames in parts of the province.

Across the province, Robert Turner with Emergency Management BC says more than 16,000 people are now registered as evacuees, and cash has finally started flowing to them.

“The Red Cross by the end of today expects to have cash out to 1,800 families that have registered. That will be done by electronic transfer for those that have given bank account information. For those that have not, they have case managers who can discuss individual cases and they can issue cash cards where they have to.”

Turner says it’s not clear if any will be allowed to go back this weekend.

“Nine thousand, 429 have currently registered with reception centres. The latest figures we have are that 4655 are in lodgings provided by emergency social services with local governments.”

Meanwhile, RCMP Staff Sergeant Annie Linteau says a man and woman, both in their 20’s, have been arrested for looting in the Williams Lake area.

“Two individuals were arrested – both are prolific offenders in Williams Lake. They were arrested on July 11th, couple of days ago as part of a routine vehicle stop in Williams Lake, and during a search of their vehicle, police located a television which is believed to have been taken during a break-and-enter from an evacuated home in the Wildwood area on July 8th.”

There are a number of air quality advisories are still in effect in communities where smoke from the fires has drifted, but so far, there are no reports of anyone being severely impacted.

Premier-designate John Horgan flew over affected areas this afternoon, and says there are challenging times ahead as he witnessed some of the damage.

“It’s just an extraordinary thing to see the devastation from the fires in the Cariboo region from the sky. We were in a helicopter going east of the airport in Williams Lake. There’s still huge huge pockets of smoke, a couple of trees went up like roman candles while we were there, but there’s pockets of smoke as far as the eye can see.”