Shuswap Emergency Program Update – July 22, 2023 at 3 PM
The Lower East Adams Lake Wildfire continues to grow primarily towards the north flank of the fire, which is away from the populated areas currently under Evacuation Alert.
The Shuswap Emergency Program remains in close contact with the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) regarding this fire. No changes have been recommended to the Evacuation Alert area which includes 92 properties in the CSRD, as well as one property in the Thompson Nicola Regional District and properties in the jurisdiction of the Adams Lake Indian Band.
Updated information on the Lower East Adams Lake Wildfire includes:
• BC Wildfire Service is reporting fire growth to approximately 320 hectares. Yesterday, the fire was mapped at 219 hectares.
• Fire behaviour has increased to Rank 3 and 4, with some candling and torching of trees being observed by BCWS. The fire front is moving at a moderate pace.
• The steep terrain is making firefighting difficult to access and unsafe for ground crews.
• The primary method being used by BCWS to fight the blaze is using a helicopter to bucket water. There is a special focus on using water bucketing to cool the south flank of the fire, helping to reduce spread of the blaze towards any populated area.
• Winds are currently helping to move the fire growth away from structures and this pattern is expected to continue in the short term.
The Lower East Adams Lake fire is the only blaze within the jurisdiction of the CSRD that is posing any risk to people or property at this time.
The Shuswap Emergency Program remains activated for a Level-One Emergency Operations Centre. For information, please follow the CSRD or Shuswap Emergency Program (SEP) on the web, or the CSRD and SEP Facebook and Twitter. For alerts delivered directly to you, sign up for Alertable, the CSRD’s free emergency notification service. There’s a button on the home page of the CSRD website, csrd.bc.ca
Photos courtesy BC Wildfire Service, July 22, 2023.