Structures lost, evacuation alert expanded due to wildfire north of Whistler, B.C.
Some structures have been lost in a popular southern British Columbia recreational community as the simmering Downton Lake wildfire, 110 kilometres northwest of Whistler, has taken a devastating run.
Flames from the lightning-caused wildfire had made slow but steady progress through steep, wooded terrain at the western end of Gun Lake since the blaze was sparked on July 13, but suddenly flared late Monday.
An evacuation order covering the more than 200 properties around the lake was issued Tuesday and quickly upgraded to critical, urging the many seasonal and handful of permanent residents to leave for Lillooet or Whistler.
Evacuation alerts were also extended to areas north and east of Gun Lake, including Gold Bridge, Tyaughton Lake and the Tyax Resort, as the nearly 16-square-kilometre fire almost quadrupled in size since Monday.
As of Wednesday morning, the Downton Lake wildfire is an estimated 1,560 hectares.
The SLRD has EXPANDED an Evacuation ALERT for the Downton Lake Wildfire K71649 – Area A. The ALERT applies to properties in the Area of Gun Creek, Gold Bridge & Tyaughton Lake. For more info, visit: https://t.co/eGj9bI0Qtf pic.twitter.com/0O5XX07SWC
— Squamish-LillooetRD (@slrd_bc) <a href=«https://twitter.com/slrd_bc/status/1686911202310619137?ref_src=» https:>August 3, 2023
The destruction and evacuation orders and alerts came as most residents of the southern Okanagan town of Osoyoos were returning to their homes after a wildfire raced north from Washington state on Saturday, burning to within a few metres of some properties before a wind shift spared the community.
The Gun Lake and Osoyoos wildfires are among more than 360 active wildfires across B.C., including 16 the B.C. Wildfire Service says were
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