State of emergency declared as fire menaces Galiano Island
A state of emergency has been declared as water bombers have begun working on a large fire that is threatening homes and summer cottages on Galiano Island, one of the jewels of B.C.'s Gulf Islands.
The fire broke out on Sunday afternoon, forcing about 120 permanent residents and visitors out of their homes at the southern end of Galiano.
Ian Elliot, the area's emergency program co-ordinator, says the emergency declaration gives firefighters the power to dowhatever is necessary to protect houses.
"It allows the fire department, for instance, to move onto private property and take measures they need to, to help to protect life and property from destruction."
Many of the people forced from their homes were billeted with other residents, while others spent the night at the Lions hall or even ata local restaurant.
Cook Glenda Rasmussen says she discoveredan American family sleeping on couches at the Grand Central Cafe when she arrived to open up on Monday morning,
"I came in and there were a couple little girls and their mother sleeping in the restaurant. We have couches, pink velvet couches."
Galiano's emergency social services co-ordinator Jim Pletz told CBC Radio it was a busy night for the island's two volunteer fire departments, as they watered down homes.
"It was just a matter of keeping the houses wet," he said, noting that the flames had burned to within 200 metres of a couple of homes.
Pletzsaid the fire is still burning Monday morning, but no longer close to the threatened homes. "It looks like and feels like we are getting a handle, but it is not contained as of yet."
About 200 firefighters are working on the fire. They include forest service crews and volunteer fire departments from neighbouring Gulf Islands.
There's still no word on what caused the fire that started in an abandoned gravel pit.
There are about 1,000 permanent residents of Galiano, but the population swells every summer with tourists and cottage owners.
There is no cellphone coverage on the island. The province has set up a central hotlinefor concerned people to call. It is (250) 539-3721/3723