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A wildfire has forced a popular music festival in Salmo in southern B.C. to end early and organizers say the decision will be a costly one.

Organizers for the Shambhala Music Festival said Saturday afternoon that the flames aren’t threatening the festival or attendees, but they made a decision to cancel Sunday’s entertainment after consulting with local government.

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Music will play as scheduled Saturday night, but people were being asked to be prepared to leave the site on Sunday morning.

Festival founder Jimmy Bundschuh said organizers had a difficult choice to make.

“I obviously have mixed emotions about what’s going on,” he said. “You’re always trying to balance your decisions to make sure you’re making the right decisions to protect people.”

The Central Kootenay Regional District issued an evacuation alert on Saturday morning after the B.C. Wildfire Service reported that flames had crossed the Salmo River and were heading toward the town of Salmo, where the festival is being held.

An evacuation alert means people need to be ready to leave an area on a moment’s notice.

Andrew Bellerby with the regional district said officials have been working with festival organizers since the fire started Wednesday and extensive planning was done in the background in case an evacuation became necessary.