UPDATE 10:15 p.m. – Evacuation orders that covered properties in Scotch Creek and Lee Creek have been expanded to include all of Celista and Magna Bay in the North Shuswap as the Lower East Adams Lake fire continues to burn out of control.

The Columbia-Shuswap Regional District also says the Scotch Creek Bridge between Scotch Creek and Lee Creek was closed as of 5:15 p.m. Friday because of Rank 5 fire behaviour on either side of the bridge.

“Currently both exits from the North Shuswap are closed due to wildfire,” the Scotch Creek-Lee Creek Fire Department said in a post on Facebook at 5:10 p.m.. “Anyone left in the area is to meet at the boat launch at Shuswap Lake Provincial Park.”

“Search and Rescue is doing evacuations at the boat launch at the Provincial Park boat launch. They will take the public by boat across the lake and you will be bussed to a reception center in Kamloops.”

Just before 7:30 p.m., the fire department also told any residents left in the area to evacuate immediately.

“Today, marks an unprecedented and profoundly challenging day for the Shuswap Region,” the CSRD said in a statement at 10:00 p.m.. “We find ourselves in an unparalleled crisis as the Shuswap faces its most devastating wildfire day in history.”

An evacuation order also covers 92 other CSRD properties between 2597 and 2900 Rawson Road, including Dorian Bay, Woolford Point, and Enns Reach, as well as Tsútswecw Provincial Park.

An evacuation order has also been issued for a handful of properties in the Little River Road area along Highway 1, south of Little Shuswap Lake.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has also issued an evacuation order for 135 properties in the Turtle Valley area, south of the Trans Canada, as the fire has jumped the highway. Another 129 properties in Turtle Valley remain on alert for now.

The TNRD has also issued an evacuation order for 75 properties listed below due to the Bush Creek East and the Lower East Adams Lake fires, as pictured here

A further 12 properties between 7530 and 8385 Loakin-Bear Creek Road were also put on evacuation order as pictured here.

Another 11 boat access properties – 7080 to 7220 Little Shuswap Lake Road – are also on evacuation order, with another 15 in the area of Aylmer Lake and Little Shuswap Lake on alert at this time, as pictured below.

A number of other TNRD properties along the west shore of Adams Lake, in the Agate Bay area, and on Fadear Creek Road also remain on evacuation alert at this time.

An evacuation order has also been issued for Interfor’s Adams Lake Sawmill at 9200 Holding Road. While its located close to the Adams Lake Ferry, the parcel of industrial land is located under the Village of Chase’s jurisdiction.

The rest of the Village of Chase remains on evacuation alert at this time as are properties in the Turtle Valley area of the TNRD, south of Highway 1.

Adams Lake Lumber Mill Emergency Information.
Due to wildfires, the Adams Lake Lumber Mill has been evacuated. Please watch for further notifications.

— Village of Chase (@VillageofChase) August 18, 2023

The Little Shuswap Lake Band has also issued an evacuation order for the Quaaout 1 reserve, between Little Shuswap Lake and Shuswap Lake. It has also issued an evacuation order for properties on its reserve between Scotch Creek and Lee Creek.

The Neskonlith Band also issued an evacuation alert for its IR #1, located on the north side of the South Thompson River, just west of Chase.

The BC Wildfire Service says the orders and alerts come as strong northerly winds pushed both the Bush Creek East and the Lower East Adams Lake fires to the south.

“Crews have been pulled back to staging areas in the interest of responder safety,” it said, in a post on Twitter.

People who have been ordered out of their homes in the CSRD and the TNRD are being directed to the reception centre at McArthur Island in Kamloops. They’re also being told to register for Emergency Support Services here, and to try and stay with friends or family, if possible.

For the latest from the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District, go here.

For the latest from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, go here.