'Explosive' wildfire behaviour continues as drought grips southern B.C.

'Explosive' wildfire behaviour continues as drought grips southern B.C.

B.C. battles 'explosive' wildfires as more than 20,000 remain under evacuation order

More than 20,000 people are under evacuation order as crews battle more than 100 active wildfires across B.C. Officials say challenging conditions have fuelled significant fire growth, but cooler temperatures and lighter winds could help crews in the coming days.

The wildfires in B.C. continue to upend people's lives and livelihoods, and the situation remains risky and difficult. Today, local officials gathered to share the latest information with reporters. Here's what we learned:

B.C. wildfire evacuee anxious to learn if winery survived

Christine Coletta and her husband are among the thousands of people in Summerland, B.C., who were forced to leave their livelihoods behind when a wildfire broke out near their community. She believes their home and one of their wineries survived the flames, but her second winery, Garnet Valley Ranch, 'was right in the heart of the action.'

Christine Coletta is an evacuee who, along with her husband, has a home in Summerland and two wineries.

One of those wineries is Garnet Valley Ranch — the couple has no idea whether it was damaged by the Bald Range wildfire. But their home and second winery were most likely spared.

"We know from cameras coming back on when power was restored that they're fine," Coletta said. "The issue is our Garnet Valley Ranch, which was right in the heart of the action."

The possible destruction will likely impact Coletta and her husband "significantly." Both are in their 70s and eventually wish to retire.

"We've been working on a retirement plan well before COVID, but it seems there's been one thing after another," Coletta said, adding that the current situation "will be changing our futures."

"But we feel really blessed that we are healthy and energized, and we still are very active, and we know we have it within us to carry on."

There have been no changes in evacuation orders and alerts in the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, local officials said in their latest update.

The district also said that temporary access permits have been in high demand.

"Applicants must have a valid reason to re-enter," officials said. "Applying for an access permit does not guarantee approval."

Officials add that people should not try to wait at a checkpoint; people without approved permits will be turned around.

People in the area can track evacuation orders and alerts here.

"Residents are reminded to obey all road closures, evacuation orders, alerts, and posted signage. Do not enter restricted areas or active fire zones, as doing so may place your safety and the safety of the emergency responders at risk."

In another update, local officials said evacuation orders and alerts for the properties impacted by the Quilpituk Creek wildfire will remain in place today, too.

Susan Craig considers herself lucky. Her home is still standing after she evacuated from the wildfires in Summerland, B.C., on Friday night.

But the heritage home right next door was reduced to ashes — and Craig is still waiting for word about her missing cat.

Craig says a community group called Alert has been helping people search for missing animals, but so far, there's been no sign of her cat.

Amid the uncertainty, though, Craig told CBC Radio's As It Happens the evacuation has also shown her the power of community.

As flames descended from Cartwright Mountain toward her home, Craig and her husband stood watching the fire from afar, and that's when they met another resident who was also watching the fire.

Craig says he asked whether they had somewhere to stay and offered to open his home to them. At the time, his house was outside the evacuation zone.

"So we gratefully accepted his offer," she said.

But soon after, his home was also placed under an evacuation order, and when the group was able to find another place to stay in Kaleden, B.C., Craig brought the stranger with them.

"In my opinion it's an incredible story where somebody assisted us in safe accommodations and in turn, we were able to help him find safe accommodation," said Craig.

I'm a reporter based in Salmon Arm. I have been in the Vernon area for the last two days talking with people impacted by the Bradley Creek wildfire. Some people were able to return home this week. The fire is still burning on Okanagan Indian Band land, though it's considered held.

Today, I spoke with elders staying at a hotel in Vernon after being evacuated. I also attended a prayer gathering on Okanagan Lake. The elders I spoke with told me about the irreplaceable items that were burned, like baskets once used for berry picking that are more than 100 years old. They say they are praying for rain and plan to rebuild.

I'm a reporter who's been covering the wildfires from the Interior.

One of the evacuees I spoke with is Gary Nielsen, a mechanic who goes by the nickname Mullet. He towed six vehicles from his shop in Summerland after the first evacuation orders went out on Friday.

He dropped them off at a Canadian Tire parking lot, where he has been living out of a tent. One of the vehicles is an old Trans-Am he's restoring for his father.

"It sounds stupid to say that these cars are important to me, but this is something I'm building for my dad," said Nielsen. "He sold a car just like this when he had me because he couldn't fit me and my brother in the back."

"He gave this up for me, so I wasn't going to give it up for a fire," said Nielsen.

Battling Summerland blaze 'like a jet engine coming up behind you': firefighter

Volunteer firefighter describes fighting the Summerland wildfires

Adam Pearce, a volunteer firefighter, spoke with CBC News Network earlier today about his experience fighting flames in Summerland, B.C.

Pearce said he was working on his farm when he got a call saying he had 30 minutes before he and others would need to leave to respond to wildfires in Summerland.

He said that along the way "you could see the big plume and chimney of smoke."

"Just the scale of it was pretty immense," Pearce said.

Pearce was working with his team to install protective sprinklers and cooling systems that would cloud houses with humidity.

When asked what goes through his mind while fighting a fire, Pearce said, "Keep your head on a swivel."

"Work hard, keep an eye out for your guys."

This is hardly the first time Pearce has been called to battle flames. Still, he referred to the Summerland situation as "quite aggressive" and said the flames were moving "very quick."

That's largely due to dry, densely packed terrain and steep slopes, he said, adding his pager is always on and he's ready to serve at a moment's notice.

I've been covering the effects fires are having this summer on communities in the Okanagan.

Apart from the evacuation order and structure loss from the fires, there is the ever-present smoke, day after day that is blanketing everything in Kelowna. The area has seen air quality health index warnings for several days.

Today Environment Canada's rating is 10+ on a scale of 1 to 10 for air quality impact, which is considered "very high risk."

The persistent smoke has cancelled outdoor community events and people are seeking refuge at swimming pools, the local mall and other indoor places.

Last night, a low, thick fog of smoke was coming off the Bald Range fire near Summerland and people stopped to watch it where I was in nearby Peachland. This morning we awoke to the sight of ash accumulating on vehicle windshields.

Social media is full of people posting about the poor air quality, the anxiety that comes with persistent smoke and tourists asking if they should cancel their trips to the Okanagan. Earlier today we heard from Emergency Management Minister Kelly Greene that "now is not the time to visit."

Okanagan food bank hopes to 'ease their pain' as B.C. evacuees flee

Trevor Moss, chief executive officer of the Central Okanagan Food Bank, says the recent wildfires forcing West Kelowna residents to flee are unlike anything they’ve seen before. The volunteer-run food bank is providing evacuees with full meals and grab-and-go boxes. Moss hopes these small acts of care help ease the trauma of displacement for affected residents.

Shannon Christensen, founder and CEO of Mamas for Mamas, a Kelowna-based non-profit, told CBC News thousands of people have reached out to help the organization support evacuees. Those offering help include massive corporations and mom-and-pop shops, she said.

Christensen said her organization is delivering relief items, and is asking for cash donations, grocery store gift cards as well as goods like diapers, wipes, baby formula and hygiene products.

In the meantime, she offered some useful advice for people at risk of evacuations: if you find yourself fleeing your home, you should pack anything you would need for camping, such as towels and sleeping bags.

Families in need of support can reach out to the organization, she said, adding that staff are monitoring their Instagram, too.

I'm at Okanagan Beach in Penticton, B.C., where Okanagan Indian Band is hosting a prayer circle. People here are thinking about what people in Summerland have lost in the last few days and sending them strength. It's very sombre. A light breeze from the north is pushing wildfire smoke into our faces.