Evacuation order and alert expanded for aggressive B.C. wildfire

British Columbia’s Ministry of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said on Sunday that it has expanded an evacuation order and alert for the Puntzi Lake area “due to the expansion and aggressive behaviour of the Puntzi Lake wildfire.”

As of Monday morning, the estimated 8,089-hectare wildfire was about 30% contained, according to the province’s Wildfire Management Branch. “With favourable weather the last few days, crews have been able to direct attack the fire’s edge utilizing both pump systems and skidder tankers for hard to reach areas,” the branch said in a release. “Mop-up efforts continue in and around private property and homes affected by the wildfire.” [click image below to enlarge]

On Saturday, 48 new wildfires were reported in the province. As of noon on Monday, there were 251 active wildfires across the province, with six states of local emergency due to wildfire, and 13 evacuation alerts and orders in effect, the ministry said in a press release. There are also currently about 141 properties on evacuation order, with approximately 658 homes and an estimated 300 residents of Tsi Del Del (Alexis Creek) First Nations on evacuation alert.

The Puntzi Lake wildfire was first discovered on July 8. Two days later, an Air Tractor AT-802F Fire Boss amphibious airtanker working on the wildfire went down in Puntzi Lake, the forestry ministry said in another press release. The pilot was able to exit the aircraft and was brought to shore. Initial indications are that he suffered no major injuries.

Since April 1, 2015, B.C. has had 1,065 fires, more than double the 462 wildfires reported in the same time period in 2014.