Shifting winds, cooler temperatures helping firefighters at Tumbler Ridge, B.C.
TUMBLER RIDGE, B.C. - Firefighters took advantage of favourable weather conditions Saturday to make headway on an out-of-control wildfire that forced the evacuation of the northeast British Columbia community of Tumbler Ridge.
Shifting winds, cooling temperatures and intermittent rain showers slowed the wildfire's advance and changed its direction, giving firefighter crews more time to build guards to protect the community, said BC Wildfire fire information officer Forrest Tower.
“It's definitely the first day where there's maybe a sense of calmness, I would say I guess right now,” he said in a phone interview. “But certainly I would not want to say the situation is over right now by any means. We're using the next 24 to 48 hours to do as much as we can to secure containment on that western flank in the hopes that we can get enough done if we do see some uptick in fire behaviour.”
The estimated 2,400 residents of Tumbler Ridge were ordered to evacuate earlier this week as the intense, out-of-control West Kiskatinaw River wildfire approached within five kilometres of the community.
Tower, who was in Tumbler Ridge, said despite the improved conditions it was still too early to lift the evacuation order.
Most residents are waiting out the wildfire in the nearby cities of Dawson Creek and Fort St. John, but Tumbler Ridge fire chief Dustin Curry said earlier about 150 people remain in the community, of whom some are emergency personnel but others are citizens refusing to leave.
“There's still real potential for some more aggressive fire behaviour over the next couple of days,” Tower said. “It's still a large, large wildfire and there's lots of work that needs to be done.”
The BC Wildfire Service says the fire was at 230 square kilometres Saturday.
“It's still active and it's still definitely burning, but just at a much lower intensity than it has been and it isn't really threatening the containment lines that we have,” Tower said.
Meanwhile, on Vancouver Island, a logging road detour route reopened to connect the communities of Port Alberni, Tofino and Ucluelet, but the main transportation link, Highway 4, remained closed due to a nearby wildfire.
The transportation ministry issued a statement saying the detour reopened after a vehicle involved in an earlier accident was pulled from nearby Francis Lake.
The statement says the detour route will give priority to the movement of essential goods, and starting Sunday morning pilot vehicles will escort convoys of commercial vehicles to and from Port Alberni four times daily until further notice.
Drivers of other vehicles will be placed behind the convoys, but priority will be given to vehicles carrying essential goods, such as fuel and food, the statement read.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2023.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
WATCH LIVE Toronto police to release updated list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
Toronto police and law enforcement partners will be releasing the BOLO program’s updated list of the top 25 most wanted fugitives in Canada at a news conference on Tuesday morning.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.