Wind gusts push wildfire away from Tumbler Ridge, B.C.

The nearly 20,000 hectare fire burning kilometres away from Tumbler Ridge, B.C., has been pushed back.

The nearly 20,000 hectare fire burning kilometres away from Tumbler Ridge, B.C., has been pushed back.

According to BC Wildfire Service, there was a significant reduction in fire behaviour due in part to cooler temperatures, rainfall and wind gusts blowing the fire away from the town.

"These westerly winds are pushing the smoke away, which allows for greater visibility to get our helicopters in closer and crews close," said Karley Desrosiers, a fire information officer with BC Wildfire Service.

Desrosiers says despite the wind being in the community's favour, it can change quickly, and more needs to be done on the west flank for BC Wildfire Services to be confident that it's been contained.

The town's fire chief, Dustin Curry, told CTV News that his team of ten volunteer firefighters has been helping install sprinkler protection around the community to prevent damage if the fire crawls over the ridge and enters the town.

"We brought in Mutual Aid partners from Dawson Creek and Chetwynd in order to help us maintain structural fire protection within the community while we assist other things," said Curry.

Since Thursday, the streets of Tumbler Ridge have been mostly deserted. The fire chief said only a handful of people have stayed and are not following the evacuation order. Around 2,400 have found accommodations elsewhere as they wait out the order.