Fires rage through B.C. Interior

That fire, which started Thursday on the Ashcroft Reserve, flared out of control Friday, July 8, forcing the entire Village of Cache Creek to be evacuated, and Ashcroft put on evacuation alert.

By Friday night the fire had consumed more than 7,000 hectares and was burning through grass near the Trans-Canada Highways on the hills above the community.

There apparently has been considerable damage to the Cache Creek airport, according to photos on social media.

Fire broke out Friday night in the Little Fort area, forcing the evacuation of that community, and an evacuation order has been issued for parts of TNRD Area “O”. A number of residences in the Windpass Road area, and the Dunn Lake Road, have been ordered evacuated.

Highways are largely closed heading to the coast Saturday, except for the Coquihalla Highway.

People are coming forward to help out. The B.C. Livestock in Kamloops has made pens available to put livestock, and Mike Labourdais of the Whispering Pines Band says they have land available too. Other people are coming forward to offer temporary shelter for those who need it.

All available wildfire resources are being channelled into fighting the blazes. Ground crews are being reinforced, and air tankers, helicopters and skimmers are being prioritized as to where they can do the most good.

The good news is that the winds have died down, which should help in firefighting efforts, although with temperatures forecast in the mid-thirties, it will still be tough sledding for crews.

by Doug Collins/CFJC Today

Fires rage through B.C. Interior

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