B.C. paramedics urge residents to obey wildfire evacuation orders

Ambulance Paramedics of B.C. is urging residents to leave when evacuation orders are issued, saying that remaining in affected areas can put families and emergency responders at risk as wildfires strain the province’s health and response systems.

The group says some paramedics who live in ordered areas continue to staff ambulances, but it is asking other residents not to remain behind. EmergencyInfoBC defines an evacuation order as a threat to life and health requiring immediate departure; an evacuation alert means people should prepare to leave on short notice.

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District had 583 properties under evacuation order because of the combined Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek fires, along with additional properties affected by other fires. Clinton and 70 Mile House were included, and Highway 97 was closed before and after Clinton. Evacuees were directed to Kamloops.

The Fraser Valley Regional District ordered the evacuation of Boston Bar, North Bend and Canyon Alpine because of the Brunswick Complex. Emergency centres are available in Chilliwack and Kamloops. The B.C. Wildfire Service reported 134 active wildfires, while 99 were extinguished in the previous week.