Listen to this article
Approximately 3 minutes
The audio version of this article was created using artificial intelligence technology. Pronunciation errors may occur. We work with our partners to continually analyze and improve results.
A tactical evacuation is underway in North Bend, British Columbia, where residents are being ordered to leave immediately due to a wildfire near Brunswick Creek burning near Boston Bar in the province’s Fraser Canyon region.
The BC Fire Service says tactical evacuation is used when a sudden threat to life requires immediate action and there is no time to prepare or issue written warnings.
The evacuation order covers the entire North Bend area, extending north along Shomox Road and including about 60 residences, according to the Fraser Valley Regional District.
The regional district says the entire population of Boston Bar is also under an evacuation alert.
Boston Bar and North Bend are located across the Fraser River from each other in the rugged Fraser Canyon. About 500 people live in this area.
The regional district says the evacuation is being carried out on the advice of the British Columbia Fire Service.
The Boston Bar First Nation says the Hope Recreation Center in Hope, British Columbia, just south of the Boston Bar, is open to North Bend evacuees, although space is limited.
In a Facebook update, the First Nation asked people who have family, friends or another safe place to stay to take advantage of these options so that space can be reserved for people in dire need.
Firefighters battle an out-of-control wildfire near Boston Bar, British Columbia (BC Wildfire Service)
As of Friday afternoon, evacuations were issued for four properties on Shomocks Road, north of North Bend.
The BC Forest Fire Service says the fire is believed to be human-caused and remains uncontrolled.
Now its area is estimated at approximately 100 hectares. The change from Friday’s earlier estimate of about 14 hectares reflects more accurate aerial mapping.
But strong winds off the slope, gusting between 40 and 50 kilometers per hour, increased both the size and nature of the fire, said Sam Bellion, information specialist for the Coastal Fire Center.
“These winds pose a safety risk to (fire) responders and have resulted in several spot fires north of this incident that (crews) are also responding to,” Bellion said.
The fire is currently burning at a stage 3 to 4, meaning conditions range from a moderately severe surface fire to a very severe surface fire.
Earlier Saturday, officials said the fire was burning stage 1 to 2, meaning conditions range from a low-smoldering ground fire to a surface fire of low intensity.
The Wildfire Service says air support was limited at times due to weather and terrain, and smoke was clearly visible along Highway 1, including in Kamloops and Merritt.
It said crews are supporting the Boston Bar Fire Department with three initial assault crews, two crews, two response officers, three helicopters and heavy equipment fighting the fire.
Shomocks Road is restricted to local residents only and no impact is expected on Highway 1.