(Chetwynd) The first evacuation order due to wildfires this year in British Columbia lasted less than 24 hours, but local officials say dry conditions are keeping the fire risk high.
Mike Bernier, MP for Peace River South, says there is “no humidity in the area” which has received virtually no snow this winter.
He says the early season wildfire was spotted about four kilometers from Chetwynd, B.C., on Wednesday afternoon.
Bernier says the fire broke out and quickly covered 50 hectares, forcing the Peace River Regional District to issue an evacuation order.
The order was downgraded to an evacuation alert on Thursday, with residents asked to be ready to leave at short notice.
Julia Nelson, Chetwynd’s interim mayor, says the ordinance has affected 67 homes.
The Wildmare Creek fire is evidence of the “extreme drought” in the area, she said in an interview Thursday.
“The fire chief was saying this fire was burning so fast and so intensely that we were almost surprised there was no structural damage. »
Mme Nelson said strong winds fanned the flames Wednesday, but calmer conditions and rain reduced it last night.
“So some kind of divine act just saved our community,” she said.
The fire service’s website, BC Wildfire, indicates that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Chetwynd Fire Department conducted a “tactical evacuation” of homes located in the immediate vicinity of the fire, including the area is now estimated at 76 hectares.
The Ministry of Transportation information service DriveBC indicates that one lane of a 10-kilometer section of Highway 97 has been reopened to accompanied alternating traffic.
Julia Nelson said her community is expecting a long, hot fire season.
“I don’t know if we have the solutions to contain and manage this. »
Nelson said the province has moved the base camp of the BC Wildfire Service’s northern team from Chetwynd to Dawson Creek, about 100 kilometers away.
“It’s only April and our community was at extreme risk of burning. This fire was only a few kilometers away […] And to me, that’s proof that we need more help. »
Members of the Chetwynd Fire Department are volunteers, Ms.me Nelson.
The fire is believed to be human caused. Mike Bernier stated that the population must be careful due to the dry weather.
“I will be really worried about the Peace Region all season if this continues. We need everyone to be on alert to monitor and ensure the security of the area,” he said in an interview Thursday.
Peace has been one of the driest areas in British Columbia since last summer. A recent bulletin indicated that the amount of snow was only 65% of normal.
Forests Minister Bruce Ralston said Thursday the province is “ready” for what happens this summer after British Columbia suffered its worst season last year, with more than 28,000 square kilometers burned.
In this early start to the wildfire season, there are 100 active fires in British Columbia, including four that started in the last 24 hours.