Mexican reinforcements arriving for wildfire fight in Summerland, B.C.
Reinforcements are arriving in the battle against a deadly wildfire on the shores of Okanagan Lake in the southern B.C. Interior that has forced 20,000 people to evacuate.
A deadly wildfire that has forced 20,000 residents to evacuate their homes is facing reinforcements as 100 Mexican firefighters are set to arrive in Summerland, B.C. Hugh Murdoch, from the BC Wildfire Service, announced the arrival of the reinforcements to aid in the fight against the blaze, which has already claimed one life and destroyed numerous homes.
The fire, spanning 156 square kilometres, has proven to be a monumental task for the firefighters, who are operating in steep, hot conditions and dealing with rapid outbreaks caused by "spotting." The RCMP have launched a criminal investigation into the cause of the fire, which erupted on Friday and led to the death of an 80-year-old woman attempting to escape.
The tiny community of Faulder, located in the path of the fire, has been ravaged with most of its homes destroyed. Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes warned residents that they will not be returning home anytime soon, but they should prepare for the aftermath. The BC Wildfire Service warns of a high potential for lightning-caused wildfires in the central Interior and Okanagan regions, with about 100 fires currently burning across British Columbia, half of which are out of control.
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