Wildfire threat puts residents of Sonora Island, one of the Discovery Islands, on evacuation alert

A wildfire has prompted an evacuation alert for residents in the Owens Bay community of Sonora Island, off the east coast of Vancouver Island.

The interface fire is currently three hectares in size and 17 firefighters from BC Wildfire Service along with four helicopters, a boat and volunteers from Sonora Island and the Outer Discovery Islands battling it.

“BC Wildfire is pleading that additional citizens avoid coming to the area to allow their aviation resources to operate safely,” the Strathcona Regional District said in a news release.

The evacuation alert has been issued for residents south of Hyacinth Lake and Dorr Lake, meaning those residents should be prepared to leave on short notice.

Those preparations should include a “grab-and-go” bag that can carry several days of clothing, toiletries and medications, an emergency plan, copies of important documents and important mementos.

Anyone with mobility issues or who requires assistance evacuating should call the SRD’s emergency operations centre at 250-830-6702.

The SRD said it would provide an another update on Friday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m.

Editorial Policies Report an Error