FORT NELSON, British Columbia — An intense wildfire could reach a town in western Canada this week, fire experts and officials warned, based on forecasts of winds that have fueled the out-of-control blaze which has forced the evacuation of thousands of people.
The British Columbia Wildfire Service said the blaze was burning 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) northwest of Fort Nelson. More than 4,700 people have evacuated after an order was issued on Friday. Bowinn Ma, the province’s minister of emergency management, said drought conditions have persisted since last year and no rain is in the forecast.
“We are extremely concerned,” she said. “It is extremely uncommon for us to have so many on a evacuation order.”
Cliff Chapman, the service’s director of operations, said they were fortunate that stronger winds didn’t materialize over night but said winds are expected to continue to blow west over the next day or two.
“We did not see the winds through the evening,” Chapman said.
Fire crews and emergency workers were preparing for a “last stand” if the fire advances into the town, said Rob Fraser, mayor of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality based in Fort Nelson. Fraser said less than 100 people remained in town. The wildfire service encouraged those left to leave.
The wildfire had swelled to nearly 53 square kilometers (20 square miles).
The service’s fire behavior specialist, Ben Boghean, said the extreme fire behavior — made worse by years of drought and a below-normal snowpack this past winter — could threaten the crews that have been fighting the nearby Parker Lake wildfire.
Fraser warned that resources such as water and electricity may diminish or stop for public use since much of the supply will be directed to support firefighters.
