B.C. warns against travel to parts of the Interior due to wildfire hazards

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      The province of B..C. warned residents today against travelling to parts of the Interior "until further notice" due to widespread wildfires and smoke hazards.

      Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, cited residents' and firefighters' safety in the face of possible evacuations as part of the rationale for the travel advisory.

      Parts of the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO), as well as surrounding areas, are experiencing wildfire activity that is forecast to increase during the coming weekend.

      An August 13 late-afternoon Emercency Management B.C. (EMBC) news release said that the "next 72 hours will be critical, and the Province is preparing for more evacuation orders and alerts".

      Specifically, EMBC (part of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General) advised against travel to the towns of Armstrong, Enderby, Spallumcheen, and the Okanagan Indian Band.

      (Wildfire information and a map of the affected areas can be accessed here.)

      "We're taking this proactive step because we want to ensure people in these communities are able to evacuate if necessary, access the supports they need, as well as the safety of our firefighters on the ground," Farnworth said in the release. "While we are acting out of an abundance of caution, this situation is very serious and could get worse quickly. If you were planning to travel to the area, now is not the time to do so."

      According to information supplied by the province, there are 273 wildfires currently burning in B.C, with 19 reported in the past two days, which brings the year's total to 1,495, with 58 reported this week so far.

      The RDNO wildfire update page has current (August 13) information on three large wildfires within its boundaries and adjoining districts, including the White Rock Lake fire, which now covers 58,000 hectares. The district reports that it currently has 195 wildland firefighters, 15 helicopters, 15 tree assessors and fallers, 139 structural-protection personnel, and 73 pieces of heavy equipment attending this fire.

      The RDNO says "the forecast is calling for winds later on Saturday and into Sunday, so increased wildfire activity is expected. To prepare for forecasted winds, the BC Wildfire Service is continuing to focus heavy equipment and crews on priority areas that they expect could experience increased wildfire activity."

      According to Interior Health, all nonessential travel to and from the Central Okanagan should be also be put on hold because of a COVID-19 outbreak that has worsened considerably during the past week.

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