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Vernon  

State of emergency

UPDATE: 7:20 a.m.

The Martin Mountain wildfire continues to burn near Monte Lake between Falkland and Kamloops. The BC Wildfire Service had crews on the lines overnight, however, an update on the current status of the fire will not be available until 9 a.m. this morning.

As of late Wednesday night, the fast moving fire was pegged at 100 hectares in size.

The state of emergency declared early Wednesday evening remains in effect, as do all evacuation orders and alerts, and road closures.

A total of 58 properties have been ordered to evacuate. Highway 97 remains closed at Monte Lake. Detours are available via highways 1, 97A, 97B and Salmon River Road.


UPDATE: 9:45 p.m.

The fire in Martin Mountain near Monte Lake is still estimated to be about 100 hectares in size.

Firefighters are still on scene working on the blaze and assessment of the fire will be made in the morning.

Air support has stopped for the evening.


UPDATE: 9:20 p.m.

More properties are being told to evacuate after a wildfire in Martin Mountain near Monte Lake has grown.

The number of places evacuated is now 58.

These properties are being told to leave immediately:

  • 4319, 4401, 4481, 4547, 4548, 4622, 4623, 4649, 4676, 4747, 4820, 4861, 4930, 5070 Paxton Valley Rd
  • 4294 Strong Rd
  • 5469, 5525, 5535, 5545 Westlund Rd

In addition, the property of 5970 Paxton Valley Rd has been added to the list for evacuation alerts.


UPDATE: 8 p.m.

The wildfire near Monte Lake has now grown in size to 100 hectares, as confirmed from BC Wildfire Service.


UPDATE: 7:30 p.m.

The wildfire in Monte Lake has caused 39 properties to be evacuated on Wednesday.

Thompson-Nicola Regional District has ordered everyone to evacuate the following properties immediately:

  • 3847, 3851, 3865, 3871, 3875, 3877, 3885, 3889, 3901, 3907, 3913 Hwy 97
  • 4120, 4121, 4205, 4225, 4249 Kristianson Rd
  • 3928, 3929, 3938, 3941, 3964, 3965, 4025, 4080, 4105, 4108, 4124, 4125, 4146, 4164,
  • 4178, 4188, 4198, 4199, 4212, 4242, 4264, 4265, 4278 Paxton Valley Rd

Those evacuated should register at the Sandman Centre at 300 Lorne Street, Kamloops and also with the Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582.

Another 58 properties were put on evacuation alert, warned that they may need to leave at a moment's notice.

Evacuees have been told to head to Kamloops, where thousands of others have taken refuge as more than 150 fires burn across the province.

Those on evacuation alert include:

    •    3526, 3529, 3569, 3602, 3640, 3668, 3800, 3866, 3872, 3876, 3884, 3886, 3896, 3900, 3919, 3920, 3924, 3925, 3930, 3931, 3937, 3943, 3951, 3955, 3961, 3962, 3967 Hwy 97
    •    3665, 3675, 3715, 3787, 3822, 3859, 3862 Mill Rd
    •    3706, 3711, 3712, 3716, 3720, 3721, 3728, 3754, 3800, 3903 Monte Lake Rd
    •    4088, 4319, 4401, 4481, 4547, 4548, 4622, 4623, 4649, 4676 Paxton Valley Rd
    •    4294 Strong Rd
    •    5469, 5525, 5535 Westlund Rd

- with files from The Canadian Press.


 

UPDATE: 7 p.m.

A wildfire near Monte Lake has now grown in size to 60 hectares.

BC Wildfire information officer Rachel Whitt said "multiple structures are threatened on the east side of the valley."

Thirty-one firefighters are on site and a tactical evacuation has taken place.

BC Wildfire Service said there are open flames and some candling in the trees.

Highway 97 is closed in both directions and detours are available by Highway 1, 97B, 97A and Salmon River Road.


UPDATE: 6:21 p.m.

A state of emergency has been declared for the Electoral Area L of Grasslands after a rapid moving wildfire has broken out near Monte Lake.

The wildfire poses an imminent threat to health, safety or welfare to people and property accord to an information officer in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

People in the area have been ordered to evacuate.

John Ranta, Char of Thompson-Nicola Regional District said the state of emergency will remain in force for seven days unless otherwise cancelled.

Highway 97 is closed at Paxton Valley Road due to forest fire.

Assessment is still in progress.


UPDATE: 6 p.m.

Fire information officer Justine Hunse says the wildfire near Monte Lake is now estimated at 30 hectares and is threatening structures.

It's burning up the flank of Monte Mountain, just north of Monte Lake.

Air support and BC Wildfire Service ground crews are on site, although Hunse did not have numbers.

She said the fire is highly visible from the highway and nearby communities. A cause is not yet known.

RCMP are assisting with highway control, said Hunse.


UPDATE: 5:30 p.m.

Highway 97 is now closed in both directions at the scene of the forest fire, DriveBC reports.

The highway is closed near Paxton Valley Road at Monte Lake.

An assessment is in progress.


ORIGINAL: 5:06 p.m.

Yet another wildfire has sparked in B.C.'s Interior, this time near Monte Lake.

The fire began Wednesday afternoon right beside Highway 97, in between Vernon and Kamloops, near the north end of Monte Lake. 

The BC Wildfire Service is aware of the blaze, but has no information about its size or if they are responding to it at this time.

Photos of the fire show a large area of grass and trees burning on a hill on the east side of the highway.  

A witness at the scene says there are no emergency vehicles there at this time.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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