's East Kootenay region has been placed on evacuation alert as wildfires fed by strong, unpredictable winds become more intense in several areas of the province. West of the city, an evacuation order already in place affects 65 properties in the St. Mary's Valley. The emergency operations centre in Cranbrook, B.C., is putting together a plan in case the Meachan Creek fire gets too close to Kimberley. On Friday, Interior Health said its staff has started evacuating patients from its facilities in Kimberley as a precaution. Further north, Highway 93 South through Kootenay National Park may be impacted by wildfire smoke this weekend.

Source: CBC News August 17, 2018 18:19 UTC