Aerial View of White Rock Lake Fire on July 20. Photo via BC Wildfire Service
A further 32 properties have been ordered to evacuated as follows:
- 5300 to 5731 Back Rd;
- 6562 to 6580 Becker Rd;
- 6651 to 6778 Douglas Lake Rd;
- 6671 to 6919 Service Rd; and
- any other properties within the boundary noted on the attached map.
As has been the case for a few weeks, there are no hotel rooms available in Kamloops, so evacuees are being told to stay with friends or family for the night and then report to the McArthur Island reception centre between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to register for Emergency Support Services.
Evacuees can also self-register online here or by calling the Emergency Support Services Info Line at 1-800-585-9559.
If you are unable to stay with friends or family, people are being told to head to the Salvation Army Building at 1480 Sutherland Avenue in Kelowna for group lodging.
Further, an evacuation alert has been expanded to include 165 properties in the Monte Lake area and north of that along Highway 97. The properties impacted include the following:
- 2370 to 2912 Barnhartvale Rd;
- 2901 to 6975 Hwy 97;
- 4120 to 4249 Kristianson Rd;
- 3665 to 3862 Mill Rd;
- 3706 to 3909 Monte Lake Rd;
- 3928 to 5970 Paxton Valley Rd;
- 5209 Six Mile Creek Rd;
- 4294 Strong Rd;
- 5469 to 5545 Westlund Rd; and
- any other properties within the boundary noted on the attached map.
“This Evacuation Alert has been issued to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be found necessary,” the TNRD statement said. “Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.”
The White Rock Lake fire is burning put of control at an estimated 7,400 hectares in size. There was significant growth on the north east section portion of the fire through out the day today, while the south east flank was also active late in the day.
“BC Wildfire Service personnel continue to work with industry partners on site to establish and reinforce guard lines, and to protect critical infrastructure,” a statement from the BCWS said. “A structural protection specialist is on site, assessing and prioritizing critical infrastructure and properties.
High winds in the area, along with heavy smoke and steep terrain has limited the use of airtankers to fight this fire. The BC Wildfire Service says it will continue to reevaluate the opportunity for airtanker support, and airtankers may be used to apply retardant to the fire if conditions allow.
“Crews and resources may be challenged by an increase in fire behaviour tomorrow due to an increase in winds,” the statement added. “Additional ground crews are expected to arrive on this fire tomorrow morning.”
There will also be crews patrolling the fire tonight.
As of publishing, Highway 97 between Kamloops and Vernon remains open, but Douglas Lake Road is closed to public traffic approximately 30kms southwest of Westwold. Check DriveBC for the latest.
The expanded evacuation orders and alerts come just hours after the B.C. Government declared a provincial state of emergency given the ongoing wildfire situation.
For the latest on evacuation orders and alerts in the TNRD, go here.
