High winds hitting the region have prompted the Thompson-Nicola Regional District to issue a new set of evacuation orders due to the Ross Moore Lake Fire.

Around 40 properties are being affected, mostly in the Lac Le Jeune region.

“An evacuation order is now in effect for approximately 40 addressed properties in the following areas of Electoral Area “J” (Copper Desert Country) and Electoral Area “L” (Grasslands),” said the TNRD in a statement issued early Thursday evening.

The affected properties include:

• 5140 Lac Le Jeune Rd
• 5240 Lac Le Jeune Rd
• 6388 to 6416 Ashley Rd
• 5115 to 5380 Jackson Rd
• 4680 to 6455 Long Lake Rd
• 5465 to 5585 Mannings Rd
• 5960 to 6381 Weir Rd
• all areas highlighted red in in the attached map.

Those forced out are being asked to register for Emergency Support Services here and to rally at the McArthur Island Reception Centre in Kamloops.

The expanded orders follows a move by the BC Wildfire Service to put in a “restriction order” within the vicinity of the Ross Moore Lake wildfire zone earlier in the day.

“The area restriction is located in-between the Coquihalla Highway and Highway 5A, and goes as far south as the Stump Lake area, with northern point of the restriction located in the area of Anderson Creek,” said the Service.

The Wildfire Service is warning the hot and dry weather has contributed to “extreme fire behavior” in the Southern Interior, with the high-pressure system which has been bringing the small heat wave dissipating, creating high winds as a result.

Over 300 other properties in the TNRD remain on evacuation alert due to the 78.5 square kilometre Ross Moore Lake fire.