‘Anxious times’: Largest wildfire in province burning in previously devastated region

KAMLOOPS (NEWS 1130) – People in central B.C. are breathing a sigh of relief after a state of emergency and evacuation order was lifted near Fraser Lake.

Some are still on evacuation alert as crews work the nearby Lejac fire.

Despite the quick response by wildfire crews, the dramatic scene reminded residents of last year’s traumatic season, according to Gerry Thiessen, chair of the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako.

“We’ve worked really hard on our resiliency so I think that is helping. We are as prepared as what we think we can be,” he says, adding “Yesterday, the crews did an incredible job.”

However, he admits there’s a lingering distrust developed by some residents who say BC Wildfire Service responded too slowly to the Shovel Lake fire in 2018.

Operational decisions on that fire were heavily criticized by those who felt the province was out of touch with the needs of the region.

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The Lejac fire is the largest currently burning. It forced evacuations and caused the state of emergency on Saturday which was lifted Sunday late afternoon.

Crews managed to knock it down and the size estimate was adjusted to about 236 hectares (from a maximum estimate of 270 hectares) but the community is not out of the woods yet.

About 50 per cent of the fire is contained and natural boundaries are blocking 30 per cent of the perimeter from expanding.

“We had about 41 firefighters on the crew, a couple of helicopters and I believe a water bomber was out in the morning,” says Thiessen.

The #BCWildfire Service is responding to a 6 hectare wildfire approx 25 km east of downtown #Kamloops. Airtankers were on site earlier today, and helicopters are currently assisting firefighters on the ground. No structures are threatened at this time. Expect road closures. pic.twitter.com/xr9l7DXQsp

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) May 12, 2019

He says many people are anxious following two record-breaking fire seasons that hit the interior hard.

“We went through a very tough year last year,” he explains.

“We lived under weeks and weeks of very thick smoke where we were told we had some of the worst air quality in the entire world at that time,” says Thiessen.

“It’s just very difficult both on our economy as far as our forestry is being burnt up but also on people’s health and mental well-being. There were some anxious times, certainly on Saturday.”