UPDATE: 11:13 a.m.
A fast-moving wildfire threatening homes northwest of Kamloops has once again doubled in size, now sitting at an estimated 350 hectares.
Forty-seven firefighters, four helicopters and three pieces of heavy equipment are fighting the Sparks Lake fire, near Red Lake north of Savona.
“This morning, our crews on site are reporting really heavy smoke in the area, which will be visible from Kamloops and neighbouring communities,” fire information officer Madison Smith told Castanet.
Smith said no structures have been destroyed, but an evacuation alert remains in effect for a number of properties in the area.
According to Smith, crews fighting the fire in extreme heat are taking extra precautions to stay safe.
“Our crews are obviously out there working in this heat,” she said.
“They’ve been instructed to take more frequent breaks. Hopefully they can get some shade to rest in as well as lots of water.”
Smith said the BC Wildfire Service has implemented special heat wave safety protocols to keep firefighters safe in the record-breaking heat wave.
This story will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes known.
Do you have photos or video of the fire or smoke? Email news@castanet.net.
UPDATE: 9:13 a.m.
There is no update to be had on the Sparks Lake fire, burning an estimated 180 hectares northwest of Kamloops near Red Lake as of last count on Monday night.
BC Wildfire Service fire information officer Madison Smith told Castanet she expects to have an update at about 11 a.m.
“The most recent update we have is the one we had last night,” she said.
The Sparks Lake fire is burning north of Kamloops Lake. It was first reported late Monday afternoon, and grew quickly in size from an estimated 10 hectares to 40 hectares, then to 100 hectares at 9 p.m. A few hours later, BC Wildfire Service said the blaze had grown to an estimated 180 hectares.
Castanet Kamloops has a reporter en route to the fire area. This story will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes known.
Do you have photos or videos of the fire? Email news@castanet.net.
ORIGINAL: 6:25 a.m.
Twenty BC Wildfire Service personnel remained on scene overnight at the Sparks Lake wildfire northwest of Kamloops.
Crews continued suppression efforts, and the fire remains classified as out of control.
As of Monday night, it was estimated to be 180 hectares in size.
The blaze north of Kamloops Lake prompted evacuation alerts overnight for nine properties from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.
The alerts were issued as of 10:30 p.m. for the following addresses:
- 8092 Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd
- 8088 Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd
- 4000 Leblond Rd
- 7900 Seven Lakes Rd
- 8185 Seven Lakes Rd
- 7750 Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd
- 7645 Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd
- 7560 Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd
- 7501 Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd
The blaze broke out Monday amid record temperatures as B.C. continues to swelter under a heat wave. Record-setting conditions are expected to continue today.
The wildfire service was fighting the blaze Monday with 27 firefighters, two helicopters, two pieces of heavy equipment, and eight airtankers.
We will have more information on this fire and others in the Interior throughout the day.
