At least 40,000 people were evacuated from their homes shortly after July 6, 2017, when fires broke out in the South Cariboo of BC. Most were lightning-caused, but some were also human-caused fires. The conditions were ripe for a disaster - very hot days, heavy winds, a lot of fuel in the bush due to the years of Pine-Beetle killed trees. And then lightning. Fires grew in a logarithmic progression, and several quickly became "fires of note" in the Province.
2 hectares, to 40 hectares, and then to 500 overnight, thousands within a couple of days. Entire towns were put on alert, and soon after, given evacuation orders: 100 Mile House, 103 and 108 Mile House, Williams lake and all the surrounding areas. To the south; Ashcroft, Cache Creek, Loon Lake, Clinton, Chasm and all populated areas north of there were either evacuated or put on alert status. There were two fires to the east in Little Fort, threatening to cut off the last route of evacuation, but those were contained thankfully! Williams Lake, a large town of over 20,000 people, was evacuated to Prince George and Kamloops, or where ever people had friends or relatives.
July 25, the Province is in a declared State of Emergency, and while a return to home is being contemplated in some places, most communities remain on Evac Alert, meaning they could be told to get out on minutes notice. That includes yours truly, here on Green Lake! We are prepared for the worst, but hoping for the best....
Black day in July:
We received evacuation notice on the night of July 29th, as our worst fears started to become reality. The fire had jumped the last natural barrier, the Bonaparte River, and was being pushed by winds in our direction. The fire was ranked class 5, which is only one below the max in severity. As of the 30th, we are in wait and see mode. Fingers crossed!
