Fire threatening Sicamous, B.C., ignited after van hit hydro pole, mayor says
The Two Mile Road fire threatening Sicamous, B.C., started after a van hit a hydro pole, knocking it over and causing power lines to spark in dry grass for 100 metres in either direction, according to the town's mayor.
It happened just before 11 a.m. Tuesday, and by evening the blaze had forced a thousand people to flee their homes and left most of the rest of the residents on evacuation alert.
Highway 97A remains closed south of town as fire crews work on the ground and in the air to contain the blaze.
The fire, classified as out of control, had scorched about 60 hectares by nightfall on Tuesday.
According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, by mid-day Wednesday the fire had grown to 400 hectares in size.
Mayor Terry Rysz said the wind was blowing from the north Wednesday morning, pushing the fire away from the town.
"We're trying to establish a barrier at the north end of that fire so it doesn't come our way. Right now, we haven't lost a residence,” he said in an interview with CTV New. “We've been very fortunate. But I tell you what, it was within a hundred metres of our trailer park in that particular area where the fire started."
Rysz said after the van knocked down the power pole, the driver, who was not injured in the crash, remained inside the vehicle to avoid electrocution, and called 911.
“Right away, the B.C. Wildfire Service was contacted. And within 20 minutes, there was three, four or five helicopters all over this fire,” he said.
With concerns the wind could shift and push the blaze back towards the town, the evacuation orders and alerts remain in place for now.
Interior Health has evacuated an assisted living facility in Sicamous and moved some other medical patients to neighbouring communities.
Residents on evacuation alert are encouraged to make arrangements to stay with family and friends because there is limited hotel space available in nearby communities.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Person engulfed in flames outside N.Y. courthouse where Trump trial underway, says CNN
A person was covered in flames outside the New York courthouse where former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial is underway, CNN reported on Friday.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.