Interior Health is expanding its evacuations of people in areas currently impacted by wildfires in the Thompson and Cariboo region.

Forty additional long-term care residents are being proactively evacuated from 100 Mile House with the remaining acute care patients, care home residents, and community clients on standby pending broader evacuation alerts.

Yesterday, 17 patients were evacuated from the 100 Mile Hospital because of a nearby wildfire that has the entire community on evacuation alert.

As was the case yesterday, the hospital in 100 Mile House is not evacuated at this time and people who need emergency care can still go there as usual.

Interior Health also says 11 long-term care residents have been evacuated from Ashcroft.

“We are working closely with municipalities, regional districts, and the BC Wildfire Service to ensure precautions are underway to protect patients, clients, and residents,” Interior Health said, in a statement.

“[We] also continues to monitor wildfire activity across the region. Wildfire planning includes supporting anyone who may be in isolation due to COVID-19. We will ensure separate arrangements are made for anyone with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 to protect the public from potential exposure.”

People who may need support during this wildfire crisis are encouraged to call the BC Crisis Line at 310-6789.