No significant growth on wildfires near Fort Nelson, B.C.
Wildfires burning near Fort Nelson, B.C., have not seen any significant growth in the past 24 hours, according to an update from officials Monday, who said conditions have not yet improved enough for evacuees to return.
The Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, in a statement, said crews continue to battle the out-of-control Parker Lake and Patry Creek fires. Structure protection crews are on the ground where fire guards are being built and helicopters are bucketing the blazes from above.
The Emergency Operations Centre has also reopened in Fort Nelson after being moved out of the community last week.
“While a positive move in terms of community readiness, conditions are not yet cleared for residents' return due to wildfire and other community safety risks such as limited essential services,” the update says, reiterating that the move back into the community will be done in phases.
As of Monday morning, the Parker Lake blaze – which forced thousands to flee and destroyed four homes – was estimated at 123.5 square kilometres. The Patry Creek fire, which is a holdover from last year’s record-breaking season, is nearly six times that size.
The BC Wildfire Service gave an update on the fight against the fires Sunday evening, saying a favourable turn in the weather allowed crews to make some progress. Still, significant challenges remain.
“Because of the longer-term drought in the area, we’ve found, the crews have found, that the fire has burned quite deep which makes the trees unstable, and there are certain areas where the crews are finding it very difficult,” said Bryce Moreira, incident commander.
The BCWS’s provincial situation update Monday said cooler, wetter weather is expected for Tuesday and Wednesday which will allow further progress to be made. However, much of the province remains “unseasonably dry” meaning new fires can spark easily and spread quickly.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police ID mom, daughter killed in Old Montreal; video shows person break into building before fatal fire
Police released the identities of the mother and daughter who were killed after a fire tore through a 160-year-old building in Old Montreal on Friday.
Tropical Storm Milton forms in Gulf of Mexico, could intensify as a hurricane threatening Florida
Tropical Storm Milton has formed in the Gulf of Mexico. It is located 220 miles (355 kilometres) north-northeast of Veracruz, Mexico.
'I screamed in shock and horror': Family faces deadly Vancouver hit-and-run driver during sentencing
The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.
Frequent drinking of fizzy beverages and fruit juice are linked to an increased risk of stroke: research
New data raises questions about the drinks people consume and the potential risks associated with them, according to researchers at Galway University in Ireland, in partnership with Hamilton’s McMaster University.
Inter Miami star Lionel Messi draws a crowd for arrival at Toronto's BMO Field
Argentine star Lionel Messi was on the bench to start Inter Miami CF's game in Toronto on Saturday.
Northwestern Ont. woman charged with arson with disregard for human life
A 30-year-old northwestern Ontario woman has been charged with arson following a structure fire Thursday night, police say.
'No one has $70,000 dollars lying around': Toronto condo owners facing massive special assessment
The owners of a North York condominium say they are facing a $70,000 special assessment to fix their building's parking garage. '$70,000 is a lot of money. It makes me very nervous and stressed out of nowhere for this huge debt to come in,' said Ligeng Guo.
Looking for cheap flights for the holidays? Here are some tips to remember
Travelling on a budget can be stressful, but there are ways you can ensure you're getting the best deal on flights as the holiday season approaches.
A French judge in a shocking rape case allows the public to see some of the video evidence
A French judge in the trial of dozens of men accused of raping an unconscious woman whose now former husband had repeatedly drugged her so that he and others could assault her decided on Friday to allow the public to see some of the video recordings of the alleged rapes.