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Hundreds of properties evacuated as wind prompts growth in B.C. wildfires

Fire information officer Erika Berg said wind gusts reaching up to 60 km/h saw flames jump containment lines in multiple areas.
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Monte Lake residents listen during an impromptu community meeting with B.C. MLA Ellis Ross after numerous homes in the community were destroyed by the White Rock Lake wildfire, east of Kamloops, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. The B.C. Wildfire Service says it is watching wind conditions in several parts of the province, which fueled some of the larger blazes overnight. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

VANCOUVER — The B.C. Wildfire Service says evacuation orders have been issued for hundreds of properties throughout the province as high winds intensified the spread of multiple blazes.

The City of Kamloops issued an evacuation order for 734 properties due to the sudden growth of the Treemont Creek wildfire. 

Officials with the Thompson-Nicola regional district issued an order of their own for at least 166 properties near Cherry Creek.

And the Okanagan Indian Band near Vernon, B.C., ordered residents of about 80 properties to leave immediately.

Fire information officer Erika Berg said wind gusts reaching up to 60 km/h saw flames jump containment lines in multiple areas.

She said fire personnel have seen a growth in the White Rock Lake, Nk'Mip Creek, and Lytton wildfires, adding high winds are expected to persist. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2021.

The Canadian Press

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