Out-of-control wildfire south of Hope, B.C., believed to be human-caused
An out-of-control wildfire burning southeast of Hope, B.C., has grown in size as crews battle heat, wind and difficult terrain.
“The biggest driving problem with this fire is the wind every afternoon,” said Chris Terry, chief of the Sunshine Valley Fire Department.
“You think you’ve got it and an hour later the wind comes up, picks it up and it can veer either way,” said Terry, whose volunteer department is assisting in the firefighting effort.
The blaze, which is now 50 hectares in size and believed to be human-caused, is about 13 kilometres southeast of Hope. At times, it has been visible from Highway 3, but the fire is now burning away from that direction.
Firefighters are keeping a close eye on the forecast as temperatures are expected to hit the mid-30s in coming days.
“Our forecasters have told us we are heading into an extremely hot and dry few days into the weekend and are expecting record-setting temperatures in some areas of the Coastal Fire Centre,” said Julia Caranci, spokesperson for the Coastal Fire Centre.
Helicopters spent the day scooping water from an area near Sunshine Valley and dumping it on the blaze, which is not threatening any structures.
“It’s at the top of the ridge now,” said Terry. “The challenge now is to stop it from going over the top. If it goes over the top … They’ll probably be chasing it all summer.”
There are more than 60 firefighters trying to bring the wildfire under control.
With conditions so dry, fire officials are urging the public to be extra cautious to prevent more human-caused fires.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'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.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
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.
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.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
Advocacy groups speak out against domestic violence comments by Nova Scotia minister
Several Nova Scotia groups that assist women are speaking out against comments on domestic violence by Justice Minister Brad Johns, and at least one is calling for his dismissal.
A couple lost their wedding rings during the ceremony. Two strangers found a fitting solution
Every good wedding has to have one teensy, tiny crisis.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.