By Canadian Press

Planned ignition complete at White Rock Lake wildfire in B.C., number of fires drops

Aug 31, 2021 | 10:24 AM

VICTORIA — The number of wildfires burning in British Columbia has dropped to 225 as much of the province experiences cooler weather with some rain.

Emergency Management BC says there were 21 evacuation orders covering 3,754 properties as of Monday evening, a drop from 3,927 properties the day before. 

Residents of another 6,073 properties were told to be ready to leave on short notice. 

The emergency operations centre for the central Okanagan says the BC Wildfire Service has completed planned ignitions around the destructive White Rock Lake fire that’s forced the evacuation of 1,316 properties west of Okanagan Lake.

The centre says the ignitions resulted in control lines being established in several key areas at the fire’s northeast flank, reducing the risk of growth. 

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It says the fire service will provide recommendations as soon as possible on when local governments may lift evacuation orders or alerts in response to the blaze. 

It’s anticipated that residents will be provided with a guide for returning home and invited to an information session by the middle of this week, the centre says.

The B.C. government reports that 1,560 wildfires have scorched close to 8,660 square kilometres of land since the fire season began on April 1. 

Environment Canada has issued air quality statements stretching from the south Thompson to west Kootenay regions in B.C.’s Interior due to wildfire smoke.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 31, 2021. 

The Canadian Press