Wildfires worsen in Fraser Canyon, Kamloops region, putting hundreds on alert

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Hundreds of properties and recreational sites in the Fraser Valley and Thompson Nicola regions have been ordered to evacuate or prepare to do so as the Kookipi Creek wildfire spreads. 

Those properties are among thousands across the province on evacuation order Friday evening, prompting B.C. to declare a provincial state of emergency, allowing the provincial government to enact emergency orders such as travel restrictions.

The Kookipi Creek wildfire, about 16 kilometres northwest of Boston Bar and about 141 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, now covers an estimated 88 square kilometres.

As of Friday afternoon, more than 30 properties on Kanaka Bar Indian Reserve land have been ordered to evacuate. The Fraser Valley Regional District says the Boothroyd Indian Band has also issued an evacuation order.  

Meanwhile, 120 properties in the Boston Bar and the Nahatlatch River areas are under evacuation order and another 400 are on evacuation alert. The district says the scope of evacuation orders and alerts could change quickly due to the dynamic wildfire situation in the area.

Evacuees from the Fraser Valley Regional District and the Boothroyd and Boston Bar First Nations can go to Camp Hope for assistance.

In the Thompson Nicola area, 42 properties in the district's Electoral Area I (Blue Sky Country) have been ordered to evacuate. A further 34 are on evacuation alert and must be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. 

The village of Lytton, B.C., which was decimated by a wildfire in 2021, is also under evacuation alert. 

The Stein Mountain wildfire, just north of the Kookipi Creek fire, has also prompted evacuation alerts from the Lytton First Nation and Thompson Nicola Regional District. 

According to DriveBC, Highway 1 between Hope and Lytton is closed in both directions due to wildfire activity. An update is expected Saturday morning.

Potential for fires to grow

Cliff Chapman, director of operations for the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS), said a cold front that swept the southern half of the province Thursday has brought in high, unpredictable winds and dry lightning that create the potential for new fires, and growth on those they are trying to contain.

Of the 380 active fires in the province, 160 of them remain out of control, and more than a dozen of those are either highly visible or a threat to a community.

Around 3,400 firefighters are deployed across the province, with dozens from other jurisdictions such as Mexico and Costa Rica.

Shuswap fire threatens mill

Evacuation orders have been expanded in the North Shuswap, including Scotch Creek, Lee Creek, Celista, Magna Bay and Little River area between Squilax Bridge and Sorrento, as a result of the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire, northeast of Kamloops. 

Skwlāx te Secwepemcúl̓ecw has also issued an evacuation order for several areas, including: 

• IR#1 Quaaout, Little Shuswap Lake Road.
• North Subdivision.
• Dancing Fawn Subdivision.

The Thompson Nicola Regional District has confirmed the Lower East Adams Lake fire has advanced close to the Trans Canada Highway.

On Friday evening, DriveBC said Highway 1 between Chase and Sorrento was closed in both directions because of the fire. An update is expected at noon PT Saturday.

That fire is currently 100 square kilometres in size, and 15 helicopters have been assigned to help fight the blaze.

Jim Cooperman, who lives near Lee Creek on the north side of Shuswap Lake, left his home before an evacuation order was issued. 

"Right now, we're very stressed out. There's fire right near us," Cooperman said. "Not looking good for the North Shuswap right now."

On Friday evening, an evacuation alert was issued for the village of Chase due to the Bush Creek East wildfire in the Shuswap region, and residents of 135 properties in Turtle Valley have been ordered to leave immediately.

The Bush Creek East fire, which currently covers 33 square kilometres, is also threatening a lumber mill on the west side of Shuswap Lake, and BCWS information officer Forrest Tower said while crews remain on scene, they may be forced to abandon the mill if conditions do not improve. 

"It is moving south," Tower said. "The structure protection resources are set up and turned on. I do know we've pulled back resources."

Elsewhere in the Interior:

• The Lytton First Nation issued an evacuation order Thursday afternoon due to the Stein Mountain fire. The order covers the Nkaih Indian Reserve No. 10 and Lytton Indian Reserve 9A.  
• The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen issued an evacuation order for properties in Electoral Areas C, G, and I due to the Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire, which was discovered Friday in the Kamloops Fire Centre.
• An evacuation order in and around Knutsford, B.C., was expanded Thursday due to the Ross Moore Lake fire. 
• There is an evacuation order for the District of Lake Country and an evacuation alert for properties in Lake Country where a local state of emergency has been declared.
• Cariboo Regional District and the Ulkatcho First Nation issued an evacuation order Thursday for the Eliguk Lake Area as well as IR #18 (Betty Creek), about 50 kilometres north of Ulkatcho First Nation and Anahim Lake. 
• The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District has expanded an evacuation order in response to the Downton Lake wildfire burning out of control northwest of Lillooet, including the Gun Lake, Lajoie Lake, Slim Creek, Marshall Lake and Tyaughton Lake areas, as well as Gold Bridge, Brexton and Bralorne.

A list of all evacuation orders and alerts is posted online by Emergency Info B.C.

More stories on wildfires:

• Officials are urging residents to prepare in B.C.'s southeast as wildfires burn throughout the region.
• The stress of knowing wildfires could force you from your home is understandable, mental health experts say, but there are tips to help you manage it.
• Disinformation researchers warn wildfires provide a unique opportunity for rumours and conspiracy theories to spread by tapping into people's fear and emotions.
• Get the news you need without restrictions. Download our free CBC News App.   

Evacuation centres have been set up throughout the province to assist anyone evacuating from a community under threat from a wildfire.

To find the centre closest to you, visit the EmergencyInfoBC website.

Evacuees are encouraged to register with Emergency Support Services online, whether or not they access services at an evacuation centre.

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