B.C. firefighters frustrated some evacuation orders being defied 

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Expect more stagnant smoke from hundreds of fires burning across B.C. as another expected heatwave puts lives at risk and some people refuse to comply with evacuation orders.

With more than 250 wildfires raging across B.C. as of Tuesday afternoon, the situation could get even worse in the next few days as temperatures are predicted to spike to the high 20s to low 30s from Thursday through to Sunday.

Meanwhile, more than 60 evacuation orders are still in effect and not all of them are being honoured and Rob Schweitzer with the B.C. Wildfire Service says people defying evacuation orders has been a problem.

“Over this past weekend, there’s been several reports of individuals who are not heeding evacuation orders and the B.C. Wildfire Service operational efforts have been diverted including helicopters and aircraft to support individuals who’ve been trapped behind the fire lines,” he says.

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But the longer they stay, Schweitzer says the more they risk not being able to evacuate.

“I would hate to speculate on why people do stay behind. I think it’s an emotional time. I think there’s many people have lived on the land in these rural areas that feel a real need to stay back and defend their property.”

He adds fire behaviour this summer has been so extreme, even experienced crews are having a hard time staying ahead of the flames.

“When an evacuation order has been issued by the local government, please heed those warnings, please heed those times, so that we keep everyone safe throughout this fire season.”

Schweitzer says — even though winds are not expected to be strong this week — a lack of rain means “more stagnant smoke in the coming days. It also hinders our aircraft from being able to fight these fires.”

While most blazes have been sparked by lightning, police are also looking for a suspected arsonist in the Salmo area.

Schweitzer says the number of fires and hectares burned are already far above the 10-year average for a season. He adds the wildfire service has responded to more than 1,200 fires that have charred 4,250 square kilometres since April 1.