Thousands remain on evacuation alert in B.C. due to wildfires
CBC
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More than 2,000 people are preparing to evacuate at a moment's notice in the southern half of B.C., as persistent hot and dry conditions continue to challenge firefighters on Saturday.
The Shetland Creek wildfire, which was fanned by winds and grew exponentially from Thursday to Friday, has led to hundreds of properties being put on evacuation order and thousands of people on evacuation alert — including the entire village of Ashcroft.
In the southeast Interior, the Aylwin Creek fire and Komonko Creek fire have forced hundreds of people to be asked to leave the area in the Central Kootenays.
A heat wave that has settled over Western Canada is increasing the risk for firefighters, with potential thunderstorms in the forecast that could lead to more fire starts.
"We are sitting at 12 or 14 days of temperatures above 35 degrees," fire information officer Kim Wright said, speaking about the southeast section of B.C.
"Even with the significant amount of rain that we received ... in many areas of the Southeast Fire Centre in May and June, this significant heat wave has our fuels hotter and drier."
The Aylwin Creek fire and Komonko Creek fires have forced the closure of Highway 6 near the villages of New Denver and Silverton on Saturday.
The entire village of Silverton, with a population of around 200 people, was put on evacuation alert — which means residents have to be ready to leave at a moment's notice.
"I have talked to a few residents, the nerves and the anxiety is quite high," said Silverton Mayor Tanya Gordon. "My suggestion to most people here is just try to stay calm. Go and talk to your neighbours and make sure they're OK.
"One thing about this community is we're a pretty tight community. So everybody's helping everybody."
Gordon said
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