Despite significant headway being made on the Ross Moore Lake fire, the City of Kamloops is keeping its Emergency Operations Centre active for the time being.

Emergency Preparedness Manager, Will Beatty, says given the proximity of the fire to Kamloops, the plan is to keep the EOC operational until there is more information from provincial and wildfire officials.

“If there is the potential to have the order or even alert rescinded, then we’ll look at opportunities to close the EOC for the meantime, and reactivate as needed,” Beatty said on NL Mornings.

“In most local authorities, the EOC will remain active while the alert is bordering just because there is always that potential for that alert to extend or even turn into an order depending on the threat itself.”

Kamloops is playing host to those forced from their homes from the Ross Moore Lake fire, as well as the fires burning west of Lillooet.

“We’re at a Level 2 response so we’ve got the appropriate position staffed within the EOC in the event that BC Wildfire Service in consultation with with Emergency Management and Climate Readiness come with a rescind or an extension of any alerts or orders,” Beatty added.

There are 344 properties in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District that remain on evacuation order. Another 200 or so properties in both the TNRD and the Knutsford area of Kamloops remain on evacuation alert.

Officials are suggesting any rescinding of orders or alerts for the Ross Moore Lake fire aren’t likely to come until the weekend at the earliest.

“With 99 per cent certainty, there are no anticipated changes today or tomorrow in terms of a size reduction [for orders or alerts],” Information Officer, Forrest Tower, told NL News. “There is always the chance that orders and alerts could increase with unanticipated fire growth but we aren’t expecting that to be the case either.”

“Friday will be the earliest things could change based on current objectives.”