(Cariboo) Residents of Cariboo are facing evacuation warnings as they fear wildfire season will soon begin in British Columbia and Alberta.
In addition to the 1,600-hectare Burgess Creek fire, about 600 kilometers north of Vancouver, the small town of Endago, about 400 kilometers northwest, is also on evacuation alert, the British Columbia Forest Fire Service said. Just one kilometer west of town.
An evacuation alert was issued for Endako on Sunday after 60 km/h winds began pushing flames toward the community of a few dozen homes north of Highway 16, said Mark Parker, chief of the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District in British Columbia. .
“The fire broke out on Saturday afternoon and at that time the wind was blowing away from the Endago community. But on Sunday, the wind completely turned and blew towards the community. »
Two helicopters were dispatched to the spot to douse the fire, which spread over an area of about 25 hectares.
The Endago and Burgess Creek fires are believed to be human-caused.
The Cariboo Regional District sounded the alarm on Sunday evening for the 32 square kilometer Burgess Creek fire. According to officials, the fire is dangerous and residents should prepare to evacuate as soon as possible.
Information released Monday by the British Columbia Forest Fire Service indicates that nine fires have spread across the province in the past 24 hours.
Officials fear that this year's season will be tough as much of the province continues to experience significant drought.
The lack of snow in British Columbia has worried locals.
“We have had very little rainfall in the last month,” said Mr. Parker said. So the grass is drier than normal. It's always a threat, and we've always dealt with grass fires in the early spring, but this year they seem more volatile because of the dry conditions. »
Separately, residents of Sabre Creek Estates near Fort McMurray in northern Alberta were asked to prepare for a possible evacuation on Sunday.
Remember, 2023 is the most destructive wildfire season on record in Canada.
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