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The Bradley Creek wildfire burns west of Vernon, B.C., on Aug. 1.Handout – B.C. Wildfire Service/The Canadian Press
Winds of more than 100 km/h in some parts of British Columbia’s Okanagan were too much for aircraft to hold back the flames of a wildfire near Okanagan Lake on Saturday.
New wildfires at the north end of Okanagan Lake have prompted the evacuation of the Okanagan Indian Band reserve, while evacuation orders and alerts are up near the cities of Vernon and Armstrong.
The BC Wildfire Service reports that dozens more fires have been sparked and have expanded quickly, due to high winds and lightning strikes, with almost half of the 130 wildfires burning out of control.
An update posted by the B.C. Wildfire Service on the Bradley Creek fire burning near the north end of Okanagan Lake said a cold front passed across the region and brought significantly elevated winds, beyond what had been in the forecast for Saturday.
“Gusts were forecast to reach up to 70 km/h in the Okanagan, however crews on the ground observed sustained 80 km/h winds over the fire and 115 km/h winds at elevation,” the update posted online Sunday said.
“These winds caused significant challenges and the firefighters, helicopters, airtankers and skimmers were unable to hold the fire.”
Shifting winds Saturday led to flames crossing Hwy. 97, which has been closed.
As of Sunday morning there were 42 separate evacuation orders across the province and another 40 alerts.
The Regional District of North Okanagan says if people have a recreational vehicle, and time permits, they should bring it with them as accommodations will be limited.
The wildfires and Saturday night’s storm have also knocked out power to several areas of the province, especially in the Okanagan and Kootenay regions where more than 23,000 customers are without lights.
The BC Wildfire Service is recommending that British Columbians be prepared for a possible quick departure, even if wildfires aren’t threatening their areas.
The wildfire service says there are five wildfires of note now in the province, all of them burning near communities.