10 evacuation orders and alerts remain in B.C. due to wildfires burning

As of noon on Friday, there are 197 active wildfires around B.C.

There were 15 new fires on Thursday and of the 197 burning, 19 are considered fires of note.

Eight states of local emergency are in place due to the fires and 10 evacuation orders and alerts are currently in effect.

Evacuation Orders currently exist in these areas:

• Boulder Creek wildfire, northwest of Pemberton Meadows, affecting three commercial properties and two recreational cabins.
• Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, affecting 21 seasonal homes due to Dog Mountain wildfire.
• Puntzi Lake wildfire, northwest of Williams Lake, affecting approximately 35 residences.
• Sechelt Mine wildfire, issued for Carlson Point, affecting 18 properties.

Evacuation Alerts exist in these areas:

• Puntzi Lake wildfire, northwest of Williams Lake, affecting 20 homes.
• Tsulquate Creek wildfire, northwest of Port Hardy, affecting 100 homes.
• Sitkum Creek wildfire, north of Kootenay Lake, affecting 350 homes.
• Two Alerts for the wildfire in the Harrogate area, north of Highway 95, between Harrogate and Brisco, affecting 50 homes.
• Petitot River wildfire, northeast of Fort Nelson, affecting an oil and gas camp.
• Cougar Creek wildfire, north of Hope. Alert covers all properties along the Nahatlatch Forest Service Road, from the Nahatlatch River Rafting Resort Access Road to the terminus of the Nahatlatch Forest Service Road, including the Hannah Lake cabins.

States of local emergency for wildfires exist in the following areas:

• Regional District of East Kootenay
• Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.
• Sunshine Coast Regional District.
• Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.
• Cariboo Regional District.
• Central Okanagan Regional District.

As of Friday, July 10, more than 75 properties in the province were on Evacuation Order with approximately 500 homes on Evacuation Alert. These numbers will fluctuate as orders and alerts are put into place or rescinded.

Changes in wildfires in the past 48 hours:

The Big Beaver Creek wildfire crossed the Alaska Highway due to winds Wednesday night. The Alaska Highway is now open and no Evacuation Alerts or Orders are in place at this time for that area.

The Puntzi Lake wildfire in the Cariboo has increased in size to 1,200 hectares and an evacuation order is in place. Crews and heavy equipment worked overnight on Thursday and successfully established a control line.

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has responded to 956 wildfires so far this season. More than 1,000 of B.C.’s firefighters are fully deployed throughout the province, and more than 700 contract firefighters are helping to fight fires. Sixty-three sustained action firefighters and seven other personnel from Ontario remain in B.C. to provide support.

READ MORE: Full coverage of the wildfires in B.C.

Smoke advisories still in effect

The wildfire smoke advisory for the south coast of Vancouver Island and for Campbell River has been lifted, as air quality conditions have improved.

The advisory for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley has also been lifted due to favourable conditions.

The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with regional health authorities, has issued Air Quality Advisories in several areas of B.C. – including the Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky Corridor, Fort St. John, East Coast of Vancouver Island and the Southern Interior. The air quality has improved in most parts of the province, though fine particulate matter concentrations continue to vary. The advisories are expected to remain in place until weather conditions change.

Wildfire Smoke Advisories have been issued for these areas:

• Sea-to-Sky Corridor and surrounding areas, from Howe Sound through Squamish and Whistler to Pemberton and surrounding areas.
• Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas affecting Powell River to Gibsons / Langdale
• Fort St. John and surrounding areas.
• Port Hardy due to Tsulquate Rover.

Government signs a one-month contract to use the Martin Mars water bomber

The B.C. Government has entered into a one-month contract to use the Martin Mars water bomber.

Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson said they expect they may be in a position to use the bomber by this weekend.

It will only be used in situations where it is safe to do so.

Water restrictions in place across B.C.

Metro Vancouver is still at Level 2 water restrictions, while on Thursday, the Regional District of Nanaimo and the City of Parksville moved to Level 4 water restrictions.

Enforcement is going to be stepped up across Metro Vancouver to make sure residents are complying with the rules.

“If you think you’re going to get away with it, you’re not, because there are a lot of eyes out there,” said Jerry Dobrovolny with the City of Vancouver.

In Metro Vancouver, current lawn sprinkling regulations are:

Residential — even-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns 4 a.m. – 9 a.m. Monday; odd-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns 4 a.m. – 9 a.m. Thursday and non-residential — even-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns 1 a.m. – 6 a.m. Wednesday; odd-numbered addresses may sprinkle lawns 1 a.m. – 6 a.m. Tuesday; and municipal parks must also follow the once weekly lawn sprinkling times.

Decorative fountains in the City of Vancouver are also being turned off to conserve water.

These fountains are in:

• Andy Livingstone Park
• Bayshore Central
• Cathedral Square
• David Lam Park
• George Wainborn Park
• Granville Loop

Public water play parks and pads combination, such as Emery Barnes Park and Queen Elizabeth Park are being kept operational because these have recirculating water features.

Penalties for open burning

Failure to abide by the Wildfire Act, including open burning restrictions, can result in a $345 fine, an administrative penalty of $10,000 or, if convicted in court, a fine of up to $100,000 and/or one year in jail.

BC Parks is now providing detailed updates on important park closures and campfire bans as well as general information about current Provincial Park conditions. Updated information can be found by visiting the BC Parks website.

Support for B.C.’s firefighters:

The B.C. government has set up a website where you can leave messages of thanks for the men and women currently battling the fires across the province.

“This site is for you to let our brave firefighters know you support their efforts,” reads the webpage.

Click to leave a message on the board “Messages for our firefighters“.

Report all wildfires to 1 800 663-5555 or *5555 on your mobile phone.