British Columbia remains at the centre of Canada’s wildfire crisis as fast-moving blazes continue to force evacuations, threaten communities and fill skies with smoke.
There are currently 115 active wildfires burning across British Columbia, according to the province’s wildfire dashboard. Of those, 53 are classified as out of control, while 44 are under control. The province has also designated six wildfires of note, including the massive Pear Lake wildfire in the Cariboo region, which has scorched more than 124,656 hectares and remains out of control.
B.C. wildfire dashboard data for Wednesday, August 5. (Image screengrab: B.C. Wildfire Service)
‘One of the most devastating events in our history’: Hundreds of homes destroyed by wildfires
In the area around Clinton, where the massive Pear Lake fire has burned over 1,246 square kilometres, “several hundred” structures are believed to have been destroyed on about 120 properties.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District said it believes that number will rise as staff are able to safely access more areas.
Farther south, the Okanagan Indian Band estimates at least 200 homes were destroyed west of Vernon when the Bradley Creek wildfire tore through the community amid powerful winds.
B.C. evacuation orders
Nearly 8,000 people are now under evacuation orders across British Columbia, while another 7,100 residents remain on alert and ready to leave at a moment’s notice as the wildfire threat continues to shift, according to provincial data.
Officials are urging people in at-risk communities to pre-register for Emergency Support Services before they’re forced to evacuate.
Meanwhile, the province is facing growing political pressure from both the B.C. Conservatives and B.C. Greens to declare a provincial state of emergency.
Provincial officials maintain they already have the resources and authority needed to respond, saying additional emergency powers are not required at this time.