Galiano Evacuees Wait to Return Home, Others on Fire Alert Near Falkland

GALIANO ISLAND, B.C. (CP) – Firefighters managed to keep the forest fire that has forced some people out of their homes from spreading, despite a worrying forecast of higher winds.

Jim Pletz, an emergency co-ordinator on the island, said Wednesday the fire remains at 61 hectares.

Residents of about 30 homes were allowed back to their houses late Tuesday, but the rest of the 135 evacuees were told they couldn’t return because of concerns forecasted winds might whip the fire up again.

Pletz said the situation will again be reviewed later Wednesday.

Crews continue to reinforce fire lines and put out hotspots, he said.

Meanwhile, five households were put on evacuation alert Wednesday after a forest fire broke out south of Falkland.

Officials say the lightning-caused blaze grew to 50 hectares overnight and is proving difficult to fight because of extreme slopes and heavy timber.

Karlie Shaughnessy, a provincial fire information officer, said 40 people are on site fighting the blaze in the Kamloops region.

She said 28 fires were ignited since Tuesday in the Kamloops region.