Military, international resources help fight B.C. wildfires as more evacuation orders, alerts issued

Hundreds of international firefighters and army personnel are helping fight more than close to 500 wildfires across B.C. on Saturday, which resulted in new evacuation alerts and orders Saturday.

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) says there are 500 international firefighters in the province, helping more than 2,000 provincial personnel on the front lines. That number was boosted Friday by the arrival of 100 Brazilian firefighters.

It comes as blazes across B.C. have already set the record for most area burned during a wildfire season, surpassing the historic 2018 season with over 14,600 square kilometres burned.

Most of B.C.'s fires of note — the most visible blazes that may pose a threat to public safety — are located in the northwest. As of Saturday evening there were 482 active wildfires in the province, up 100 from Thursday.

More alerts, orders issued Saturday

Upwards of 50 emergency alerts — including evacuation orders and alerts — have been issued by regional authorities across B.C. as of Saturday afternoon.

People whose properties are covered under evacuation orders must leave immediately, while those under an evacuation alert must be prepared to go immediately if the alert becomes an order.

Officials encourage residents to register all family members affected by evacuation orders at the nearest reception centre so emergency responders know they are safe.

On Saturday, an evacuation alert from the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District and Tsal'alh First Nation related to the Casper Creek wildfire, burning about 33 kilometres west of Lillooet, near Anderson Lake, was expanded to an order for 192 properties.

People from more than 360 properties have now been forced to flee due to the fire, now estimated at two square kilometres in size and burning out of control.

Jen Ford, the board chair of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District said officials are concerned about the behaviour of the fire.

"These are really difficult times with people being impacted in many different ways, this is really personal when it impacts your home," she said. "We're really sensitive to the needs of people who are being asked to leave their homes immediately."

An out-of-control fire burning close to Kamloops resulted in the the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) issuing an evacuation order for 49 properties in two electoral areas nearby. 

The Ross Moore Lake wildfire was discovered on Friday and is now 700 hectares in size. It's burning approximately 24 kilometres south of Kamloops.

The TNRD also expanded an evacuation alert to include 327 properties in the areas south of Kamloops, East of Highway 5, West of Highway 5A, including Lac Le Jeune and the Knutsford community within the region.

The St. Mary's River wildfire northeast of Cranbrook, B.C., in the southeast has already burned through homes and led to multiple evacuation orders. On Friday, it also led to an evacuation alert for the Canadian Rockies International Airport.

On Saturday, a further 526 homes were put on evacuation alert due to the fire. That brings the total number of properties on alert to 661, while 67 homes are on an evacuation order.

Officials say small spots of the fire were observed on the east side of the Kootenay River on Saturday, and control lines north of the airport have been holding.

Highway 20 closed

DriveBC says Highway 20 east of Bella Coola is closed in both directions due to a wildfire that has grown to more than 25 square kilometres in size.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says fire behaviour for the Young Creek wildfire, about 35 kilometres west of Anahim Lake, has increased due to high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds.

The highway closure comes after the Cariboo Regional District issued an evacuation order for 43 square kilometres near the community of Anahim Lake on Friday and residents were told to leave immediately using the highway.

On Saturday, the regional district said Highway 20 can still be accessed around Anahim Lake, but not past Heckman Pass.

Thunderstorm watches, heat warnings in place

Officials have forecast an increase in fires in southern B.C. as cooler temperatures and rain are forecast for the province's north.

Severe thunderstorm watches have been issued for a large swath of northern and central B.C., including Prince George, Fort Nelson and the Peace River region.

Environment Canada says hot, dry weather persists in Kamloops, Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Heat warnings are in place for the Boundary, Fraser Canyon, Kootenay Lake, Okanagan Valley and South Thompson regions.