Wildfire in southeast B.C. forces evacuation of approximately 200 homes

Wildfire in southeast B.C. forces evacuation of approximately 200 homes | iNFOnews.ca
Credit: FILE PHOTO

CRANBROOK, B.C. – More people are begin forced from their homes in a community in southeastern B.C. this weekend due to an out-of-control wildfire.

The BC Wildfire Service says the blaze, which started Friday night, near St. Mary's Reserve 14 kilometres northeast of Cranbrook is now 250 hectares in size.

The Regional District of East Kootenay says 174 properties around nearby Moyie Lake were evacuated while others have been placed on alert, meaning residents must be ready to leave at a moment's notice.

An additional 30 homes within the First Nation's territory have been evacuated.

The First Nation's spokeswoman Jodi Gravelle issued a news release saying that a perimeter guard protecting the community has not been breached by the fire and officials are hopeful the evacuation order will soon be rescinded.

There were more than 160 fires burning across the province Friday, and the wildfire service says unseasonably hot and dry conditions through the weekend could fuel fire activity.

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Taylor Rae

Before university, Taylor spent a year abroad living in Thailand which encouraged her to finish her degree studying in Turkey, both experiences have made her an avid traveller. Taylor graduated from Thompson Rivers University with a degree in Communications and Public Relations. Although born on the coast, Taylor has lived the majority of her life in Kamloops and enjoys what the region has to offer. In her spare time, you can find Taylor volunteering in the community or out on an adventure with her friends and her dogs.

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