UPDATE 10 p.m. – Evacuation orders and alerts cover both sides of Adams Lake after a significant flare-up on the Lower East Adams Lake fire Wednesday afternoon.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District has issued an evacuation order for 92 properties on the east shore of Adams Lake. Fifty-five of those properties had just been taken off evacuation alert a day ago, Tuesday, and given the all-clear.

All of the CSRD properties between 2597 and 2900 Rawson Road now on evacuation order had previously been on an evacuation alert.

Those being forced out Wednesday are being told to leave the are – which can only be accessed by private boat or the Adams Lake Ferry – immediately. The ferry takes six minutes to cross the lake with a maximum of 10 vehicles and 48 passengers.

A reception center is being set up at the Quaaout Lodge in Chase.

Last month, CSRD spokesperson Tracy Hughes told Radio NL the 92 CSRD properties east of Adams Lake were primarily recreational properties, with only about a dozen that were used around the year.

At the time, the CSRD was also asking part-time residents to leave the area to help streamline the evacuation process in the event it was needed.

“Because of these transportation issues, we are really being extra cautious and we really want people to take this seriously,” Hughes said.

Wednesday evening, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has put all of Electoral Area “O” (Lower North Thompson) under a local state of emergency due to the fire.

“This declaration enables prompt coordination of action or special regulation of persons or property to protect the health, safety or welfare of people or to limit damage to property,” said the TNRD in a statement Wednesday evening.

It has also put two properties – 2992 Rawson Road in the vicinity of McLeod Point and 3500 Bugcamp Creek-Adams East Forest Service Road – on  evacuation order.

The latter property had just been put on an evacuation alert earlier Wednesday.

The Adams Lake Indian Band has also issued an evacuation order for properties on the Adams Lake Indian Reserve I.R. 1 – Cstèlen (Hustalen). Those properties were also taken off evacuation alert on Tuesday afternoon.

The CSRD has also issued an evacuation alert for the Northern Reach of Tsutswecw Provincial Park near Chase. No properties are within the area pictured below.

The TNRD has also issued an evacuation alert for 75 properties in Electoral Area “P” (Rivers and the Peaks) on the west shore of Adams Lake. The village of Chase has also issued an evacuation alert for Interfor’s Adams Lake sawmill, which is within its jurisdiction.

“This evacuation alert is in place to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be found necessary,” the TNRD said. “Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to an Evacuation Order; however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.”

The CSRD’s evacuation order comes just a few hours after the it issued a notification, noting a flare up on the lightning-caused Lower East Adams Lake fire. At that time, it said the BC Wildfire Service said that properties in the area were not under threat.

As of publishing, 137 BC Hydro customers on the east shore of Adams Lake were without power due to the fire.

The flare up comes just two days after the BC Wildfire Service withdrew its structure protection crews to help protect homes due to the Eagle Bluff wildfire in Osoyoos.

That fire has now shifted away from the Township.

The lightning-caused Lower East Adams Lake fire – and the nearby 982 hectare Bush Creek East Fire on the other side of Adams Lake – have both been burning since July 12.

For the latest on evacuation orders and alerts in the TNRD, go here.

For the latest from the BC Wildfire Service, go here.