Cold front drives new wildfire evacuations across southern B.C.

A cold front moving through southern British Columbia was expected to bring high winds and possible thunderstorms over the long weekend, prompting warnings that existing wildfires could grow and new fires could start.

The Wait Creek fire near Ta Ta Creek, off Highway 95 east of Kimberley, triggered tactical evacuations and had grown to 160 hectares Saturday night. The B.C. Wildfire Service listed it as a wildfire of note and said it was believed to be human-caused. Emergency supports were available at Parkland Middle School in Cranbrook.

The Bradley Creek fire near the northwest shore of Okanagan Lake was last measured at 1,047 hectares after flames crossed Westside Road. Officials said it posed a significant risk to life. Evacuees north of the fire were directed to Vernon, while those south were directed to West Kelowna; reception centres were set up at Head of the Lake Hall, 12420 Westside Rd., and Westbank Lions Club, 2466 Main St.

The Okanagan Indian Band ordered evacuations for properties north of Mary Emerald Bay Road to Simila Road and carried out door-to-door evacuations on Pebble Park Lane. Provincial emergency support is available through the B.C. Evacuee Helpline at 1-800-387-4258 or ess.gov.bc.ca.

Highway 1 closures related to the Brunswick Complex extended south from Jackass Mountain summit to Toll Road in Yale on Saturday. The Shxw’ōwhámél, Yale and Spuzzum First Nations also issued alerts.

Elsewhere, evacuation orders and alerts continued around the Pear Lake fire in the southern Cariboo and the Riley Creek fire south of Lillooet. Residents were advised to follow Emergency Info B.C., DriveBC, the B.C. Wildfire Service and local governments for current information.