Evacuation orders downgraded in B.C. Interior in wake of two major wildfires

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The regional district advises residents of 11 properties in the Little Shuswap Lake area to access their homes by boat due to fire damage to the local road.

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Regional district officials say about 200 homes in the Shuswap lake area have been destroyed or significantly damaged in the Bush Creek East wildfire.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District held a virtual public meeting Friday, to give wildfire-impacted residents in the Shuswap, the latest information about when and how they will be able to return to their properties.

The CSRD is hoping to set up tours through fire-damaged areas as early as next week if they can clear the roads of safety issues. “There are massive challenges out there yet,” said BCWS Fire Information Officer Mike McCulley. “There are many roads that still need to have danger trees removed. I watched many trees coming down yesterday with very little wind. The drought causes the roots to burn out in ways that aren’t common.”

CSRD Emergency Operations Director Derek Sutherland has been through the fire zone and says the high level of destruction was even surprising to him. “I just can’t believe what’s out there, how hot this fire ran and how big the track of this fire is,” said Sutherland.

B.C.’s Wildfire Service reports 15 new wildfires over the past 24 hours, bringing the province’s current number of active blazes to 421.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 2, 2023.