The White Rock Lake wildfire will grow, BC Wildfire Services incident commander Mark Healey said.
The province91裸聊视频檚 third heat wave of the summer and wind are working against the more than 330 firefighting personnel combating the blaze that has grown to an estimated 58,000 hectares, Healey said.
91裸聊视频淭his is a catastrophic event. This isn91裸聊视频檛 just a wildfire,91裸聊视频� Healey told media at the Vernon fire camp Thursday, Aug. 12. 91裸聊视频淭his is something that is, I think, new for everybody.91裸聊视频�
Fire activity has increased across most of the fire, BCWS said, and smoke will be seen in the area of Naswhito Creek on the southeast flank. A finger of the fire on the south flank moved 1.5 kilometres south overnight and is now around four kilometres north of Fintry.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan reissued an evacuation order for the Fintry area Thursday afternoon for residents south of the Valley of the Sun through to La Casa. Residents have until 2 p.m. today to evacuate.
91裸聊视频淭he fire behaviour that we are seeing out there is beyond extreme, in my opinion,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭his fire will grow, for sure. It will grow and we take it day by day.91裸聊视频�
Healey said the fire is 91裸聊视频渓iterally in people91裸聊视频檚 backyards,91裸聊视频� along Westside Road and 91裸聊视频渉as been for a number of days,91裸聊视频� but ensures structure protection units and personnel are on scene 24-7.
Currently, 195 wildland firefighters, 119 structure protection personnel, 15 helicopters, 15 danger tree fallers and 73 pieces of heavy equipment are assigned to the fire.
Criticism saying the government and BC Wildfire Services didn91裸聊视频檛 do enough when the fire was discovered July 13 at 10 hectares is concerning, said Healey.
91裸聊视频淲hen I hear that not enough is being done, that hits me in the heart,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t not only hits me, but it hits every firefighter on the ground.91裸聊视频�
His crews, he said, are young millennials 91裸聊视频渨ho live on social media.91裸聊视频�
91裸聊视频淭hey91裸聊视频檙e not taking this well, the message that gets out there. I worry about them for that reason,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭his is the hardest thing to hear when we work extremely long hours over an extremely long summer.91裸聊视频�
Evacuation orders are in effect for communities in four regional districts and the Okanagan Indian Band. More are on alert.
The City of Armstrong, Kamloops and Village of Chase have rescinded alerts.
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