Canada hunts for survivors of fire that devastated small town: NPR

VANCOVER, British Columbia – Officials on Friday searched for any missing residents of a wildfire-ravaged British Columbia town as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered federal assistance.

The county coroner’s service said it had received reports of two deaths in connection with the fire, but was unable to send investigators to confirm because “the area remains unsafe to attend.” She said she plans to send them on Saturday.

Nearly 1,000 Lytton residents had to leave their homes just a few minutes before notice on Wednesday evening after suffering the previous day under a record high of 121.2 Fahrenheit (49.6 Celsius).

Officials said it was unclear if anyone remained in the village, 95 miles (150 kilometers) northeast of Vancouver, due to a lack of cellular service and because it was not safe to enter most of the area.

“We know there are some people missing,” said Mike Farnworth, the province’s public safety minister, although he said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Red Cross were working to locate the people.

Telus Corp, the region’s main wireless communications provider, said Friday that it has deployed emergency communications equipment to help authorities and emergency crews deal with the bushfires.

Meanwhile, a woman who survived the fire said she didn’t even have time to put on shoes before escaping.

Nolene McQuarrie Budd said her husband walked out of the house and came back moments later, screaming that they were on fire and they had to leave, the Canadian Press reported.

She said black smoke was billowing on the main street of the village and the fire appeared to be coming from all directions as they were driving out of town with 11 other people piled into the back of their pickup truck.

“The whole village of Lytton I climbed into, I’ll say 10 minutes,” she said.

“We were watching it burn and we thank the Creator for getting us out.”

The couple spent the night in the field of a recreation center in nearby Lillooet with their 120-pound (55 kg) dog Daisy.

In Ottawa, Trudeau pledged that the federal government would “help rebuild and help people get through that.”

Trudeau said he had spoken with British Columbia Prime Minister John Horgan and John Haugen, acting president of Leighton First Nation, and that he planned to convene an emergency response group.

Another bushfire threat in Kamloops, 220 miles (355 kilometers) northeast of Vancouver, prompted the evacuation of about 200 people Thursday night, but officials said they could return on Friday.

Kamloops also set a record temperature this week of 117 F (47.3 C) but it dropped to around 90 (32) on Friday.

“I can’t imagine what firefighters go through while working in these conditions,” said Noel Kekkula, B.C. Wildfire Service fire information officer. “We are in a real battle.”

The Wildfire Service said at least 106 fires were burning across the county, including dozens over the past two days alone.