One structure destroyed, evacuation orders issued due to wildfire in B.C. Interior
After growing rapidly and forcing more people out of their homes on Saturday, a wildfire in the South Okanagan saw minimal growth overnight.
A Sunday update from the BC Wildfire Service indicates that the Keremeos Creek wildfire covers an area of more than four square kilometres, and that personnel conducted patrols and structural protection where necessary throughout the night.
But the service says poor visibility presents challenges for aerial resources, and it says the wildfire is in terrain that neither air tankers nor heavy machinery can operate in.
An evacuation order has been issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen for 25 properties on Green Mountain Road — which is about 21 kilometres southwest of Penticton — and 357 other properties in the Apex area are on evacuation alert.
The wildfire service said the fire was displaying "aggressive and erratic" behaviour and was rapidly growing -- from 100 hectares Friday night to 440 hectares on Saturday.
"It can be very disconcerting," said Erick Thompson, an information officer for the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen's emergency operations centre.
"It's important to have a plan in place if you do have to leave your property, certainly if you feel threatened and there isn't an evacuation order or alert in place. You should be prepared to move to a different area. And do that sooner rather than later," he added.
Kamloops fire centre manager Kaitlyn Baskerville says while it might be challenging to leave behind your property and belongings, it's the safest thing to do right now.
"It's not necessarily just about your property. It's also about the community around you and doing what's right and keeping our crews safe as well," she said.
The Keremeos Creek fire was discovered Friday, and one structure has already been destroyed.
A smoky skies bulletin has also been issued for the South Okanagan.
"Wildfire smoke is a natural part of our environment but it is important to be mindful that exposure to smoke may affect your health," reads the bulletin.
"People with pre-existing health conditions, respiratory infections such as COVID-19, older adults, pregnant women and infants, children, and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure," it continued.
Officials urge nearby residents to keep checking for updates as the situation is rapidly changing.
"We've been here before. I don't think there's reason to be concerned as of yet. We're continuing to analyze the situation once there is enough justification to recommend an alert or order," said Baskerville.
While the cause of this fire is still unknown, the majority of new fires in the province within the last 24 hours were sparked by lightning.
The service says the fire is in an area that is inoperable for air tanker and heavy machinery support.
Dozens of crews are on scene trying to mitigate the fire, but the steep and rocky conditions make it challenging, says Baskerville.
The Keremeos Creek fire is just one of at least 70 active fires in the province.
While soaring temperatures and dry conditions have increased fire activity, one climatologist says the conditions aren't as bad as last year and that the short-term outlook seems positive.
"I think come Monday, Tuesday and certainly Wednesday, the heat dome will have broken and will return to some, a little bit of rain, but some seasonable temperatures so a lot of relief for people in the west," said Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips.
BC Wildfire is reminding anyone who spots a fire to report it immediately.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to be safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
Testifying in hush money trial, adult film actor Stormy Daniels describes first meeting Trump
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential election 10 years later.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Apple unveils new iPad Pro with 'outrageously powerful' AI-powered chip
Apple is hoping its latest iPad lineup will breathe new life into its sluggish tablet market. In a pre-recorded live streamed event from its Cupertino, California headquarters, the company introduced the latest versions of its iPad Pro and iPad Air tablets, and an all-new Apple Pencil Pro.
Katy Perry's mom was fooled by AI images of the singer at the Met Gala
Katy Perry did not attend the Met Gala on Monday, but some of the singer’s fans – and even her mom – thought she did.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.