Canada: New evacuation orders issued in British Columbia July 14 /update 2

Event

Ongoing wildfires have caused officials in British Columbia (BC) to issue new evacuation orders on Friday, July 14. Authorities ordered residents in Loon Lake to evacuate on the night of July 14. Evacuation alerts were given for Tatla Lake, Big Creek, and the village of Clinton in the Cariboo region. On Saturday, July 15, the mayor of Williams Lake said that the 11,000 residents of the town are also preparing to leave the area if an evacuation order is given. Officials are forecasting winds and lighting over the next day, which could spread the ongoing fires.

Context

A state of emergency, initially declared on July 8, remains in place as intense heat, strong winds, and dry conditions continue to hinder firefighting efforts. Several villages located in central regions of the province have been evacuated, affecting some 14,000 residents. According to BC Wildlife Services, there are currently 124 wildfires burning as of July 15.

Wildfires are common in British Columbia, particularly in the summer, with some 2000 fires reported annually on average. However, two weeks of dry weather has made these current fires more difficult to contain than normal.

Advice

Individuals are advised to exercise caution when traveling in areas affected by the wildfires, to adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities (e.g. evacuation orders), and to keep abreast of the situation.