Evacuation orders, alerts due to wildfire near Hope, B.C. no longer in effect
Evacuation orders and alerts that were issued due to a wildfire burning near Hope, B.C., have been rescinded, according to local authorities.
The Flood Falls Trail wildfire was first discovered last Thursday and has since grown to over 500 hectares.
The Fraser Valley Regional District and the District of Hope announced Tuesday that everyone who has had to flee their property can return.
Evacuation alerts have also been lifted for residents who had been told to prepare to leave home on short notice.
However, the fire is still active and classified as out of control, which the districts warn could mean renewed orders and alerts in the event of "new ignitions, lightning strikes or a change in prevailing winds." Those heading back home are also advised to check their property for any signs of damage.
Details on properties impacted by the alerts and ordered are available online.
No structures have been damaged but the fire did force a stretch of Highway 1 to close.
UPDATE ON FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS
As of Tuesday morning, the BC Wildfire Service reported 64 firefighters, eight helicopters and two pieces of heavy equipment had been deployed to try and contain the blaze. It is suspected to be human caused.
The helicopters continue to bucket the fire, but are working in difficult terrain that is steep and treacherous.
“There’s a lot of rolling debris and then there’s material that’s on fire that’s falling down slope and starting fires further down slope,” explained Hugh Murdoch, an incident commander.
Smoke from the fire, which is believed to be human-caused, continues to choke the skies in the area.
“I’ve got the mask on because of the intense smoke,” said Carole Firth who was travelling through the area Tuesday.
Roy Firth described the smoke as “pretty heavy, hard to see the mountains.”
The intense smoke has led to continued air quality advisories in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.
“We’ve been staying indoors, my wife and I because it’s pretty smoky out and it’s hard on our lungs,” said long-time Hope resident Paul Bolton.
In Manning Park, another wildfire is still burning. The Heather Lake fire, sparked in the U.S., is almost 11,000 hectares in size. Six thousand of those hectares are burning in B.C.
“Where we’re seeing most of the growth now is well within the park, not challenging the highway,” Murdoch explained, adding he felt they were making good progess on the fire.
Another massive B.C. wildfire is called aggressive Battleship Mountain, 50 km west of Hudson’s Hope. It’s close to 29,000 hectares in size. Fire crews are using planned ignitions to try and cut off growth. But there is concern about winds and warmer weather.
There are more than 180 wildfires burning in B.C. right now. Five of are considered “of note,” meaning they are highly visible to the public or pose a threat to public safety.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The World Health Organization said on Friday that the current overall public health risk posed by H5N1 bird flu virus is low, but for those with exposure to infected birds or animals the risk of infection is considered low-to-moderate.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.