Provincial minister of emergency management Bowinn Ma is reminding residents to follow all evacuation orders and alerts, during an Aug. 23 update on the wildfire situation in B.C. (BC Wildfire Service)

By Alex Rawnsley

fire season

‘They are not suggestions, they are the law:’ province stresses importance of wildfire evac orders

Aug 23, 2023 | 2:10 PM

NANAIMO — Despite some reprieve from scorching conditions and strong winds, the fire situation through the B.C. interior remains fluid and dynamic.

Crews have made progress on the McDougall Creek wildfire in and around both West Kelowna and Kelowna, which has allowed local and regional governments to rescind some evacuation orders and allow people to return to their homes.

Provincial minister of emergency management Bowinn Ma said during an update on Wednesday, Aug. 23, the province is also removing travel restrictions put in place to ensure lodging for those fighting the fires.

“Thousands of hotel rooms were made available for people who were forced from their homes as well as the many firefighters and emergency crews that required housing. We have lifted travel restrictions…in Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton and Vernon effective [Wednesday].”

Restrictions remain in effect for West Kelowna.

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The McDougall Creek wildfire is still listed as one of note by the BC Wildfire Service and is measured at approximately 12,270 hectares.

Smaller fire starts, likely sparked by drifting embers, are also being actively battled across Lake Okanagan in Kelowna.

Well over a dozen aircraft are fighting flames from the air, however bigger planes have been left largely grounded as a result of poor air quality and visibility.

Over 650 firefighters from other jurisdictions in B.C. have joined the fight, while more than 100 firefighters from Mexico arrived this week.

More reinforcements from South Africa and Australia are due in the days ahead.

Ma said Wednesday the key to firefighting efforts is coordination and ensuring different flanks of attack are all working together.

She added people have been reportedly defying evacuation orders in a bid to stay and protect their own homes.

“It is difficult to leave behind your home and everything that you love, but evacuation orders must be followed. They are not suggestions, they are the law. When unauthorized people are in evacuation areas, it escalates the danger involved for everyone.”

She said people staying limits what the BC Wildfire Service can do.

“The BC Wildfire Service cannot use aircraft to do a direct attack on wildfires if they know there are civilians in the area. They also cannot execute backburns if they know that there are people who are in those areas they are attempting to backburn.”

Ma called donations of clothing and furniture to wildfire evacuees a logistical challenge and instead encouraged monetary donations be made to registered non-profits such as the United Way, Canadian Red Cross, BC SPCA or Food Banks B.C.

A total of 378 fires are listed as burning across the province as of Wednesday afternoon, including 14 wildfires of note.

Eleven fires are burning on Vancouver Island.

The largest is the Mt. Con Reid fire in Strathcona Provincial Park which is not actively being battled as it does not pose a threat to lives or structures.

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