One of the structures destroyed by the Rock Creek wildfire can be seen in this photo posted to Facebook, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015
Image Credit: Facebook/Darrin Metcalf
August 16, 2015 - 11:54 AM
ROCK CREEK, B.C. - Twenty-nine homes have been confirmed lost in an immense wildfire in British Columbia's Boundary region, several days after the blaze sparked and forced hundreds from their homes.
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary said Sunday that 11 other structures that were not homes were also lost in the 37-square-kilometre blaze near the tiny community of Rock Creek.
The district said it was contacting all homeowners whose properties were lost.
Some evacuation orders were downgraded to alerts meaning the occupants of 88 homes and businesses were allowed to return, but others remained in force.
The district said the RCMP continues to patrol evacuated areas to ensure safety and security.
Campers who were ushered from Kettle River Provincial Park without their belongings on Thursday night were expected to be escorted in small groups back to the park on Sunday.
"This wildfire is uncontained and extremely dangerous," the B.C. Wildfire Service says on its website. "Anyone entering the evacuation area will be putting themselves and firefighters at risk."
Highway 3 east of Osoyoos to Midway has reopened with a 50 kilometre per hour speed limit. Drive B.C. is also warning drivers to watch out for road debris.
Highway 33 remains closed from Beaverdell to Rock Creek thanks to the thick and the danger the forest fire poses. Drive B.C. isn’t providing an estimated time of opening because the fire is still isn’t contained. There is a detour via Highway 6 from Vernon through Nakusp and across Arrow Lake on the Needles cable ferry.
For up-to-date highway conditions go to the Drive B.C. website.
Some of the vehicles destroyed by the Rock Creek wildfire.
Image Credit: Facebook/Darrin Metcalf
News from © The Canadian Press, 2015