Crews are looking at a tough fight this Labour Day long weekend as extreme weather conditions threaten to intensify several major fires burning in B.C.
The province-wide state of emergency has been extended for a record fourth time through Sept. 15, as officials expect many temperature records to be broken this weekend including in parts of B.C.’s tinder-dry interior.
Highway 24 has already been closed from Highway 97 to Lone Butte as the Elephant Hill wildfire bears down on several communities there.
The Elephant Hill wildfire has already destroyed 57 structures, and those who lost their homes want to know what was done to protect them.
In Pressy Lake, where once were flames, now there are the charred remains of homes and vehicles.
Residents of the community, just over 60 kilometres southeast of 100 Mile House, want to know what, precisely, the province’s fire crews did to protect them.
WATCH: Residents of B.C. town burned by forest fires frustrated about lack of information
The BC Wildfire Service told Global News that it is investigating what was done to fight the flames in Pressy Lake after the Elephant Hill fire swooped down and singed the community.
“Give us some answers, that’s all we want,” said Lorne Smith, who with his partner Cheryl Merriman, lost his home to the flames.
People in Sheridan Lake were also told to pack up following the expansion of the evacuation order along the Highway 24 corridor. Many residents are heading to an evacuation centre set up in 100 Mile House. A centre has also been set up once again in Williams Lake. Officials there are asking for volunteers to step forward and help with processing evacuees.
Coverage of B.C. wildfires on Globalnews.ca:
A pair of wildfires in the Kootenays are causing concern for both fire crews and locals. The St. Mary’s River fire is burning 14 kilometres northeast of Cranbrook in the St. Mary’s Reserve area, forcing cancellations of all flights from the nearby airport on Friday.
Similar concerns for the Lamb Creek wildfire south of town, which is now 220 hectares in size.
On Saturday, the Regional District of East Kootenay issued an evacuation order for properties on the south end of Moyie, B.C.
Chairman Al Richmond of the Cariboo Regional District says he wouldn’t be surprised if wildfires that have chewed through more than 10,600 square kilometres of woodland aren’t fully out until 2018.
Richmond said hot spots from many of the largest fires likely won’t be doused until the spring, mirroring a Fort McMurray wildfire that Alberta officials said was finally declared extinguished on Aug. 2.
READ MORE: Cranbrook-area wildfire reaches 250 hectares, evacuation order in place
“It goes down deep into the roots sometimes and then pops up again in the summer,” he said. “That’s not unusual, so I think the forest service felt we will be out dealing with these fires until well into October. And we will probably be back with many hot spots again come spring.”
Effective at noon on Saturday, the province has decided to close all Crown land in the Rocky Mountain natural resource district to public access because of the fire risk. There are exceptions, including for people travelling to or from a residence that is not under an evacuation order.
Long weekend heat
Meanwhile, a park operations supervisor with Metro Vancouver said crews will be extra vigilant during this long weekend as a lot of people are expected to hit the parks before kids go back to school next week.
“Everybody’s kind of having one last go of the summer and with the temperatures predicted to be where they are, we know that our parks are going to be really busy,” Tyler Langeloo said.
“We’re just trying to get the message out there for people to continue to be vigilant and be smart and act appropriately when in the park.”
He said hot and dry conditions combined with campfires, briquette barbecues, or lit cigarettes don’t mix well so park authorities will be handing out tickets to anyone seen partaking in unsafe behaviour.
— With files from Jesse Ferreras, Nadia Stewart, Kyle Benning with CKNW and The Canadian Press