Account Login/Registration

Access KelownaNow using your Facebook account, or by entering your information below.


Facebook


OR


Register

Privacy Policy

UPDATE: No more growth expected for the East Shuswap Road wildfire

(UPDATE: July 16, 2018 @ 12:45) - The East Shuswap Road wildfire is now considered held, says the BC Wildfire Service.

Further growth of the fire is not expected under current conditions and suppression tactics.


The fire maxed out at 545 hectares, which is reached over the weekend, and their are now just 51 firefighters working to wrap up work on the blaze.

"Today, crews are continuing to extinguish hot spots and work towards containment," reads the latest update from the BC Wildfire Service.

"As a result of the suppression efforts and partnership between Kamloops Fire Rescue, BC Wildfire Service and Tk'emlups te Secwepemc, good progress has been made on this fire."

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

(UPDATE: July 15, 2018 @ 11:20 a.m.) - After conducting burning operations around the Shuswap Road wildfire, the blaze is now estimated at 545 hectares.

Jody Lucius, Fire Information Officer for the Kamloops Fire Centre, says that the increase in size was expected due to the burns crews were conducting yesterday.

<who>Photo Credit: Lynne Borle

The fire was previously estimated at 500 hectares. There are 103 ground personnel, four water tenders, and two helicopters assigned to the fire.

The burn operations successfully reinforced fireguards and removed fuels in areas that are unsafe for crews to access. Crews continue to extinguish hot spots within 100 feet of the fire's perimeter and are working to increase containment on the fire.

Tk'emlúps Te Secwépemc First Nations have also lifted their evacuation alert, issued on July 13 for Sage Meadows and East Shuswap Road residents. All evacuation alerts and orders have now been lifted.

<who>Photo Credit: Lynne Borle

Lucius says that hot and dry conditions with light winds are expected to continue over the next couple of days.

(UPDATE: July 14, 2018 @ 3 p.m.) - The Shuswap Road wildfire is being considered out of control at this time.

According to BC Wildfire Service, the fire has not grown in size despite the strong winds and currently remains at 500 hectares.

There are 89 ground crew members working on the fire with an IMT overseeing the operations. Four pieces of heavy equipment and four helicopters are also supporting fire crews on scene.

No structures are being considered threatened at this time.

BC Wildfire Service will be conducting small burn operations if conditions stay optimal.

If these operations move forward, there will be an increased amount of smoke and the potential for visible flames.

These operations are done to remove any dense fuel from steep and inaccessible terrain in order to ensure that the fire is controlled.

(UPDATE: July 13 @ 8:25 p.m.) - Tk'emlúps Te Secwépemc First Nations is on an evacuation alert for certain residents located along East Shuswap Rd. as a result of the strong winds "causing an escape on the south-east side of the fire," tweeted BC Wildfire Service on Friday.

They assured the public that burning operations conducted by the BC Wildfire Service were not connected to the alert issued Friday evening.

(UPDATE: July 13 @ 1:15 p.m.) - The Shuswap Road wildfire is continuing to burn at 500 hectares.

As of now, 103 ground personnel, three pieces of heavy equipment and four helicopters are on scene.

Air tankers are also on standby should the fire progress.

Surrounding structures are not considered threatened at this time.

(UPDATE: July 13 @ 9 a.m.) - The Shuswap Road wildfire has grown to 500 hectares overnight.

According to BC Wildfire Service, this increase is due to fire growth as well as more accurate mapping of the fire.

A wind warning is currently in effect for the South Thompson.

According to Environment Canada, southwest winds have the potential to gust up to 50 km/h this afternoon.

“Everyone involved in response will be very aware of the high winds forecasted and will adapt accordingly,” said Jody Lucius, Fire Information Officer.

As of last night, 36 ground personnel have remained scene.

(UPDATE: July 13 @ 7:15 a.m.) - The Shuswap Road fire in Kamloops is now at an estimated 380 hectares.

Crews are currently working on the northern flank of the fire as it moves up into the hills.

On a good note, fire activity was believed to be dying down as of 10 p.m. on Thursday, but what's expected to be a windy day today could challenge firefighters.

There are three unit crews (36 ground personnel), eight contract firefighters, four pieces of heavy equipment, two helicopters and air tankers battling the blaze.

The cause of the fire still remains under investigation and NowMedia will continue to update this story as it develops.

(UPDATE: July 12 @ 4:30 p.m.) - A grassfire near the 800 block of Shuswap Road has grown to 200 hectares.

A number of homes on Shuswap Road east of the Sage Meadows trailer park have been evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Eighteen Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR) personnel are responding along with 50 BC Wildfire personnel and air service, and more resources en route.

Crews are dealing with windy conditions, and BC Wildfire Service says they are responding with all available resources. Water skimming aircraft are picking up water from Paul Lake for firefighting efforts and boaters are asked to stay clear.

The City says that although KFR is attending the fire, the City of Kamloops is not the local authority in this situation.

A reception centre has been established for evacuees at the Sk’elep School of Excellence on the reserve.

(UPDATE: July 12 @ 3 p.m.) - BC Wildfire Services continue to respond to the Shuswap Road fire. It is currently estimated to be 60 hectares.

As of now, 49 firefighters, one helicopter, air tankers and fire investigators are responding to the fire.

Air support continues to work on the fire while ground crews are focused on securing the fire perimeter near structures.

(Original story July 12 @ 1:23 p.m.) - BC Wildfire Service crews have responded to a grass fire near Shuswap Road, on the east end of Kamloops.

According to BC Wildfire Service, the five-hectare fire is not threatening any buildings.

Cause Personnel are currently on route to determine what started the fire.

As of now, 29 crew members including air tankers and one helicopter are on scene.

BC Wildfire Service claims it is too early to determine the fires containment percentage.

Shuswap road is closed from Lafarge Road west to the Yellowhead Highway until further notice. Only emergency vehicles are allowed in the area at this time.

NowMedia will continue to update this fire as more information becomes available.



If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.

If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.


Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to news@kelownanow.com.




weather-icon
Tue
19℃

weather-icon
Wed
15℃

weather-icon
Thu
10℃

weather-icon
Fri
8℃

weather-icon
Sat
8℃

weather-icon
Sun
9℃

current feed webcam icon

Recent Livestream




Top Stories

Follow Us

Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Linkedin Follow us on Youtube Listen on Soundcloud Follow Our TikTok Feed Follow Our RSS Follow Our pinterest Feed
Follow Our Newsletter
Privacy Policy