Strong winds overnight Monday fanned the flames of two fires near Falkland and Ashcroft that have resulted in evacuation orders and alerts.
Meanwhile, a new fire near Adams Lake has also led to an evacuation alert.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District issued an evacuation alert for 28 properties in two clusters along Highway 97C, west of Logan Lake, as the Coldstream Creek fire grew to 600 hectares. Provincial wildfire authorities said the fire is lightning-caused.
The wildfire branch has deployed 49 firefighters, along with six air tankers, three helicopters and heavy machinery to the fire. It is located about 15 kilometres southeast of Ashcroft, between the community and Logan Lake.
To the east, the Bolean Lake fire near Falkland also grew significantly with Monday evening’s 50- to 60-km/h winds and dry conditions. It is now about 300 hectares and is burning above and behind the large Canadian flag that stands on the mountain overlooking Falkland, a community on Highway 97 between Kamloops and Vernon.
An evacuation order was given for the Bolean Lake Resort, while 24 nearby properties were placed on an evacuation alert.
The Kamloops Fire Centre has placed five firefighters, two air tankers and two helicopters on the fire, but crews and aircraft were held back for safety reason during high winds.
It has requested a 20-person crew and two additional helicopters to fight the fire.
Also, six properties at the north end of Adams Lake were placed on evacuation alert by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District on Tuesday afternoon, in response to a wildfire in the area.
The fire was discovered on Monday, according to fire information officer Navi Saini, and began flaring up on Tuesday. It is about 30 hectares in size and is located 20 kilometres southeast of Clearwater.
Saini said the B.C. Wildfire Service doesn’t have any resources in the area in the way of firefighters and air tankers have been forced out by reduced visibility.
It is believed the fire, which was lightning-caused, is growing in size.
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