Search and Rescue crews are evacuating people in the North Shuswap by boat as the Scotch Creek bridge on Squilax-Anglemont Road is closed due to the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire.

“There is Rank 5 fire behaviour on either side of the bridge which has resulted in the shutdown of all road access,” the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District said in a post.

“Firefighters have had to back off due to fire behaviour.”

Sprinklers were set up on the single-lane wooden bridge, which links the North Shuswap to the Trans-Canada Highway, on Thursday as the CSRD said it was the most critical piece of infrastructure in the area.

The Scotch Creek-Lee Creek Fire Department says the Seymour Arm exit from the North Shuswap is also closed, effectively trapping people in Scotch Creek, Celista, Magna Bay, Anglemont, St. Ives, and Seymour Arm.

People in Scotch Creek and Celista are currently on evacuation order or alert, while those further east were told to earlier this week to ensure they have enough resources to shelter in place for 72 hours.

“People needing to evacuate via water there will be RCMP and Shuswap Search and Rescue boats available at the wharf (4248 Ashe Rd.) and will transport people across to Shuswap Marina Buses will be available to transport those to the Kamloops Reception Centre,” the CSRD added, in a post.

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