Many of B.C.’s wildfires are raging out of control Monday, fuelled by strong winds and dry, hot conditions over the weekend.
So far this fire season, more than 766,000 hectares have burned.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth told a news conference strong winds fuelled and whipped up a number of the massive fires burning in the Interior on Sunday.
He said the White Rock Lake fire near Vernon has caused a significant amount of damage, and the Okanagan Indian Band’s territory and surrounding areas have suffered “significant loss.”
It is too early to say how many structures have been destroyed, he added.
Crews fighting that fire even had to shelter in safe zones Sunday night due to the aggressive fire activity on that blaze.
Meanwhile, the Lytton Creek fire experienced 90 km/h winds and put the entire City of Merritt on evacuation alert Sunday night.
The July Mountain wildfire also closed the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt Sunday evening. It remained closed as of Monday afternoon.
Residents travelling through that area before the closure reported ash falling around them and embers flying through the sky.
The Tremont Creek fire, southeast of Ashcroft, prompted new evacuation orders in the Cherry Creek neighbourhood and put about 700 others on alert on Sunday.
The Mount Law fire, which was ignited on Sunday afternoon and has grown to about 800 hectares, forced about 500 people from their homes and is being investigated as human-caused.
Farnworth said a violent encounter and a “disregard for public safety” led to a vehicle fire and evacuations in the Brookmere area south of Merritt on Saturday.
“The wildfire danger throughout much of the Interior remains very serious.”
The province is still asking everyone not to travel to fire-affected communities, as situations can change rapidly and escape routes and highways might be needed for residents.
“If you were planning to travel to those areas, it’s time to change your plans,” Farnworth said.