
Logan Lake on August 13, 2021, while the community is under evacuation order. (Photo Al Goodrich)
The District of Logan Lake is moving its emergency operations centre to the Thompson-Nicola Regional District offices in Kamloops.
In an update Saturday, district staff say it is because the community has lost power. All 2,000 or so residents in Logan Lake were evacuated on Thursday night because of the Tremont Creek wildfire.
“Last night, the fire moved slowly in the direction of Logan Lake,” a statement from the District of Logan Lake said. “At present, winds are light and are pushing the fire in a northerly direction but that is expected to shift to a southerly direction within the next day or so.
“Due to the location of the fire and our current resources no further entry permits will be issued for any reason.”
Staff also say due to the power loss, all Logan Lake staff, including mayor and council, no longer have access to their email. Access will not be restored until powers returns to Logan Lake.
All Logan Lake evacuees are being told to register with Emergency Support Services as soon as possible. People can register in person in Merritt (1721 Coldwater Ave) or in Chilliwack (Chilliwack Senior Secondary School — 46363 Yale Road), by phone (1-844 537-7377) or or online.
“We apologize for the confusion regarding registration as previous notices and some residents were advised that this is not required unless they need assistance for food or lodging. This is incorrect,” the statement added.
“We need to account for the whereabouts of our citizens so this is an important process.”
During a public information session held on Saturday afternoon, the BC Wildfire Service said the Tremont Creek fire was burning within one to three kilometres of Logan Lake.
“It is still moving south and I believe, at this point, it is probably one to three kilometres to the west of Logan Lake is where we’re seeing it at this time,” Fire Information Officer, Erin Bull, said.
As of 6 p.m. Saturday evening, the Logan Lake evacuation order was expanded to include the Highland Valley Copper mine, west of the community.
Earlier in the day, an evacuation alert was issued for 59 properties south of Logan Lake, around the Mamette Lake area, while late Friday night, an evacuation alert in Cherry Creek was expanded to include properties on the north side of Highway 1.
“The fire is also being attacked by air and ground crews along the west and north sides of the town,” District of Logan Lake staff said. “Flames are visible from the town but no structures have been lost.”
“We have extensive fire truck crews established to fight any spot fires from embers that land on homes and other structures in our town.”
The Tremont Creek fire is an estimated 43,773 hectares – or 437 square kilometres – and it is still burning out of control.
“There is significant fire activity on the south and east flanks this afternoon. Ground crews are focused on structure protection in Tunkwa Lake, where a heavy-lift helicopter is supporting with bucketing operations,” the BC Wildfire Service said, in an update on Saturday afternoon.
“On the southern flank, air tankers are currently supporting by dropping fire retardant, and personnel are focused on structure protection.”
The BCWS says heavy equipment, ground crews, and tree fallers are working to establish a contingency guard on the south flank of the fire by widening the fuel free area underneath the power line.
“Structure protection personnel continue working to assess and install structure protection equipment in Logan Lake,” the BCWS added. “There is a 24-hour presence of structure protection personnel and apparatus in both Logan Lake and Tunkwa Lake.”
For the latest on evacuation orders and alerts in the TNRD, go here.