
An evacuation order for 32 properties in Sicamous has been lifted though the community remains on an evacuation alert because of the Two Mile Road wildfire.
Sicamous Mayor Terry Rysz tells NL News it is a miracle that no structures were destroyed by the wildfire.
“We’re going to beat this. I feel very optimistic, although cautiously optimistic,” he said. “Right now, the community is absolutely engulfed in smoke, but the fact that its laying quite low in the valley is actually working in our favour.”
“The thing that would be concerning to us is if we got all of a sudden high winds out of somewhere, but so far, things are working in our favour that way.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, the BC Wildfire Service says the 1,200 hectare fire is burning in some challenging terrain though its moving northeast up and away from Sicamous.
“The fire has not seen wind for nine days. Although precipitation is in the forecast, winds may become a challenge if it changes the direction of the fire,” the BC Wildfire Service said, in a statement.
“Visibility due to smoke remains poor which makes it difficult to see the fire or fire behaviour, however, the recent precipitation has increased the relative humidity which impacts fire behaviour and growth.”
Rysz says people in Sicamous are being told they may have to leave their homes again on short notice, should the situation change once again.
“You have to take your hat off to the firefighters and all of the stakeholders, the ambulance service, the RCMP, everybody that was involved in this thing, and yeah, we’re maxed out, lets face it but this is a dilemma all over the province and we’re just thankful for what we have,” he added.
“It was very positive, the report this morning so we’re feeling optimistic that we’re going to keep that fire in control, but as far as the District of Sicamous is concerned, everybody is on alert for sure.”
For now, Highway 97A remains closed between Enderby and Sicamous.
For more details from the CSRD, go here.