Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
National

Hundreds allowed to return home near Kamloops as evacuation order eases

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 28 Jul, 2023 01:13 PM
  • Hundreds allowed to return home near Kamloops as evacuation order eases

An evacuation order covering hundreds of properties south of Kamloops, B.C., has been scaled back to an alert as crews make good progress containing a wildfire about 10 kilometres south of the city. 

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District is allowing residents of 327 properties to return home, although they must be ready to leave again on short notice.

The 26-square-kilometre Ross Moore Lake wildfire was sparked by lightning one week ago and forced the evacuation of properties from Lac Le Jeune to near the outskirts of Kamloops.

The regional district says 18 properties remain on evacuation order but the City of Kamloops has ended its evacuation alert for the Knutsford neighbourhood, southeast of the city, as the BC Wildfire Service reports mop up is underway on the flank of the fire nearest those homes.

The blaze is still listed as out of control, but guards are being built and an additional 40 firefighters were expected through the day to focus on areas needing mop up and patrol.

The wildfire service says about 380 fires are burning across B.C., including 22 rated as highly visible or threatening "fires of note," but officials say just three new blazes were sparked in the last 24 hours.

Recent rain and cooler weather has pushed the wildfire danger rating down over large parts of B.C., but forecasters say another hot spell is due next week and warn the rain has not significantly improved the extreme drought conditions gripping the province.

Concern about the incoming hot and dry weather prompted Metro Vancouver to announce Stage 2 watering restrictions, beginning next Friday.

George Harvie, chair of the organization that acts for roughly two dozen local governments and First Nations on the inner south coast, said use of treated drinking water remains higher than average among Metro Vancouver's residents.

"We are taking this proactive step to ensure that our region’s 2.8 million residents will have enough drinking water for essential uses for the rest of the dry season,” Harvie said in a statement.

Stage 2 restrictions prohibit all lawn watering.

Since the beginning of May, water consumption across the region has been about 20 per cent higher than last year, Metro Vancouver said, with residents using more water every single day compared with 2022.

Under Stage 2, lawn watering and sidewalk or driveway cleaning is not allowed and water features such as fountains can't be filled or topped up.

But vegetable gardens can be watered at any time and trees, shrubs, and flowers can be watered by hand or using soaker hoses or drip irrigation at any time, or by using a sprinkler between 5 and 9 a.m. on any day, the district said.

Stage 1 watering restrictions began in May across Metro Vancouver and in much of B.C., limiting days and hours that lawns can be watered.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Fraser Valley bus strike might be coming to an end

Fraser Valley bus strike might be coming to an end
U-S-based First Transit operates on a contract with B-C Transit and employs about 200 bus drivers and mechanics serving Abbotsford, Mission, Agassiz-Harrison, Chilliwack and Hope. The company says it is eager for the strike to end and for services to be restored in the Fraser Valley.

Fraser Valley bus strike might be coming to an end

B.C. ports in limbo as union removes strike notice despite dispute with employers

B.C. ports in limbo as union removes strike notice despite dispute with employers
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with B.C. Premier David Eby about the labour dispute between the union and the BC Maritime Employers Association and agreed on the need to "ensure the stability" of national supply chains.

B.C. ports in limbo as union removes strike notice despite dispute with employers

Union rescinds 72-hour B.C. port strike notice

Union rescinds 72-hour B.C. port strike notice
The union representing longshore workers in British Columbia says it has rescinded 72-hour strike notice that had sparked concerns the province's ports could be shut down again by Saturday.

Union rescinds 72-hour B.C. port strike notice

Darpan 10 with Surrey RCMP Assistant Commissioner-Brian Edwards

Darpan 10 with Surrey RCMP Assistant Commissioner-Brian Edwards
Hear from Surrey RCMP Assistant Commissioner Brian Edwards on public safety, policing, and more. 

Darpan 10 with Surrey RCMP Assistant Commissioner-Brian Edwards

45K in goods stolen at Canadian Tire

45K in goods stolen at Canadian Tire
The Mounties say they're looking for three suspects who were seen on surveillance camera emptying out boxes of inexpensive items and replacing them with significantly more expensive merchandise.

45K in goods stolen at Canadian Tire

Teen hiker dies in Kelowna

Teen hiker dies in Kelowna
A 15-year-old Kamloops girl is dead after a hiking accident in B-C's Southern Interior. Police say it happened Sunday evening about 30 kilometres southeast of Revelstoke.  

Teen hiker dies in Kelowna