BC Wildfire crews deploy to help as communities remain on high flood alert

The BC Wildfire Service is joining the fight as the risk of flooding continues to threaten many communities in southern and central B.C.

The service said Friday it had deployed 20 personnel to the Cache Creek area, 33 to the Grand Forks region and that another 20 people were on standby to help if needed.

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Officials warn flood conditions could get a lot worse in the coming weeks with more rain in the forecast.

In Cache Creek, at least one home has been destroyed and many others damaged. Dozens of properties and businesses are also behind sandbags.

The highway through Cache Creek is partially open for now although conditions could change quickly.

Residents are also being urged to restrict their water use as village officials are trying to proactively protect the sewer and water systems in case the situation gets worse over the weekend.

In Grand Forks, there is lots of concern about the Granby and Kettle Rivers as they continue to rise.

At least a dozen residents have been told to vacate and almost 600 remain on evacuation alert.

The city’s mayor, Everett Baker, says he’s confident that the downtown core is prepared.

“I have great confidence in our flood mitigation program that will do the job it needs to do in the downtown core and protect industry,” he said, while watching the rain come down from his office window on Friday.

“Is it enough? I guess Monday morning will tell that story.”

On Friday afternoon, the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) issued an evacuation alert for 892 properties in the Village of Salmo and the communities of Erie and Ymir in Electoral Area G due to the risk of flooding.

On Saturday, the Regional District of Central Kootenay Emergency Operations Centre rescinded the evacuation alert for the Village of Salmo and the communities of Erie and Ymir in Electoral Area G due to the risk of flooding.

Residents should be prepared to leave their homes at a moment’s notice.

1:45 Flood threat expected to worsen in Southern and Central B.C.

• Flood threat expected to worsen in Southern and Central B.C.
• Emergency management minister on flood risk rising in B.C. Interior
• Heavy rain could contribute to flooding in parts of B.C.
• B.C. offers support for areas impacted by flood waters
• Local state of emergency remains in Cache Creek
• Village of Cache Creek continues to deal with spring flooding
• Flooding in parts of B.C. interior
• Warmer weather sets off spring flooding risk

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Near Vernon, Whiteman’s Creek is close to bursting its banks and evacuation orders there have been expanded.

An update posted Friday afternoon said 100 evacuees from 55 households in that area had registered with the province’s emergency support service program.

The River Forecast Centre has also issued a flood watch for the Middle Fraser including the Cariboo mountains and tributaries east of Quesnel. Everyone in the area is being warned to stay clear of fast-flowing rivers and potentially unstable riverbanks.

People living in Cache Creek and Grand Forks, as well as the Central Interior, Okanagan, Boundary, southern Kootenays and Similkameen regions and on Okanagan Indian Band territory, are asked to remain vigilant and have a household plan in place, the provincial government said in a statement Friday.

“This includes putting together a grab-and-go bag that includes essentials, such as a first-aid kit, personal medication, food and water, and important documents, such as insurance papers and birth certificates.”

— With files from The Canadian Press