Wildfire Threatens Golden, B.C., Community

Three employees at Canadian Timberframes, located near Golden, were caught off guard when a wildfire suddenly jumped the Columbia River, wreaking havoc on several homes nearby. Stephanie Bowes, co-owner of the company, described the situation as terrifying.

“The fire was out of control. The winds changed. It came so fast,” she said in an interview. Interestingly, they weren’t in the evacuation order zone initially, though that changed quickly as they joined in efforts to combat the spread of the fire.

The Town of Golden confirmed that the wildfire, known as the Dogtooth Forest Service Road fire, has already destroyed multiple structures. The fire covers approximately 1.33-square-kilometres and has been moving north, but the arrival of rain and helpful winds is expected to aid firefighting efforts.

While Bowes and her husband were miles away at their cottage in Anglemont, their employees reported that the blaze had already engulfed trees around their work site on Wednesday. This prompted her husband to rush back immediately.

Gratefully, Bowes shared that their business has been spared due to cement retaining walls and the devoted efforts of firefighting crews. “The fire is still out of control, but it seems to be in control around our property. There’s just smouldering fires that they’re continuously putting out throughout the property,” she explained.

On Thursday, the B.C. Wildfire Service reported that cooler weather across the province has led to a drop in the number of active fires. This is a promising development compared to the previous weeks, although five notable fires, including the Dogtooth fire, have raised concerns.

The Town of Golden mentioned that saving as many structures as possible remains a top priority as they manage the ongoing threat from the wildfire. Evacuation orders were placed for properties close to the Columbia River adjacent to Highway 95.

In a recent update, authorities lifted the evacuation order for properties on the east side of the highway but maintained the order for the west side. Highway 95 has reopened, although the access to evacuated areas is still restricted.

Despite the good news, over 230 fires are still burning uncontrollably throughout the province, particularly in southeastern B.C., where dry weather and lightning strikes have contributed to the fires. In central and northern regions, rain has offered a much-needed break.

The BC Wildfire Service provided updated statistics: as of Thursday afternoon, there are 424 active fires, with five categorized as notable. The recent week has seen a significant number of fires extinguished, showing some hope in the midst of this fire season.

Among the most significant wildfires is the Shetland Creek blaze near Spences Bridge, which has already destroyed numerous structures. Other fires, like the Aylwin Creek blaze, have also sparked evacuation orders, indicating the serious nature of the current wildfire situation in the province.

On Vancouver Island, the Old Man Lake wildfire remains out of control but is reported to be growing away from key infrastructure and structures, easing some immediate concerns for communities in Greater Victoria.