A structure protection unit staging at the Scotch Creek-Lee Creek Fire Hall. (Photo via CSRD)
Residents in the North Shuswap are bracing for the potential of evacuation orders that may come as early as today or tomorrow.
With the Squilax-Anglemont Road the only main road in and out of the area, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s Tracy Hughes says there are a number of people working to keep residents safe.
“We’re looking at options, and definitely transportation options in that are are limited, so we’re looking at a whole host of plans, should the situation deteriorate,” Hughes told Radio NL, noting that road may change to one-way access only, if an order is issued.
As it stands, an evacuation alert is in place for 2,214 addresses in the communities of Lee Creek and Scotch Creek in the North Shuswap.
The alerts were issued yesterday, August 16, after some significant eastward growth on the Lower East Adams Lake fire, which – as of the last update – was about four kilometres north of the nearest structure in Lee Creek.
People can pre-register for Emergency Support Services at Scotch Creek Lee Creek Fire Hall between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., as long as the evacuation alert is in place. Should an order be issued, people are being told to watch for emergency vehicles that may be moving in and out.
“Accommodation is non-existent in the Shuswap,” Hughes said. “The best thing to do is make arrangements to stay with family and friends in case of an evacuation. If this is not an option, your accommodation needs and possible solutions will be discussed when you check in at an Emergency Reception Centre.”
“If you are in the areas of St. Ives, Seymour Arm and Anglemont, you should prepare now to have enough resources on hand to shelter in place for 72 hours in case of limited road access.”
A look at communities in the North Shuswap. (Photo via Google Maps)
Hughes is urging people to be prepared, noting any evacuation order would factor in things like how long it would take for people to leave.
“There are some forest service roads, and some additional roads but they would be difficult for say a Toyota Camry to make it through,” she added.
The BC Wildfire Service says about 30 properties deemed most at risk have had structure protection set up on “based on defensibility and triage” by structure protection specialists.
“BC Wildfire and the Shuswap Emergency Program are planning and staging structure protection sprinklers in the area,” Hughes said. “The wooden bridge at Squilax-Anglemont Road is being watered to help protect the it from fire.”
Evacuation alerts also remain in place in the Dorian Bay, Woolford Point, and Enns Reach areas along the shores of Adams Lake on the fires west flank, with residents there too being told to watch for potential evacuation orders once again.
An Evacuation Order is also in place for the Adams Lake Indian Reserve I.R. 1 – Cstèlen (Hustalen).
There are also 73 TNRD properties on evacuation alert on the west shore of Adams Lake, with an alert also in place for Interfor’s Adams Lake sawmill.
For the latest alerts from the CSRD, go here.
