Info meeting on Bolean fire

Photo: Google Street View

A public information meeting will be held in Falkland Friday at 7 p.m. in the community hall to update the public on the Bolean Lake fire.

Ryan Nitchie, Emergency Operations Centre information officer, Shuswap Emergency Program, said representatives from the BC Wildfire Management Branch, Emergency Management BC, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District and Shuswap Emergency Program will be in attendance.

Nitchie said the EOC is not receiving many requests from people.

“The progress they are making on the fire is easing the anxiety in the community,” said Nitchie.

Crews began battling the wildfire Monday, but strong winds made tackling the blaze difficult. It also spread the flames and the fire now covers 348 hectares. An evacuation alert for 24 properties remains in place as does the evacuation order for Bolean Lake Lodge.

Kelsey Winter, Fire Information Officer with the Kamloops Fire Centre, said there was some growth on the south end of the fire, but a guard has been built and additional crews have been brought in to fight the flames.

There are now 74 firefighters (up from 50) on scene along with five helicopters, four pieces of heavy equipment and air tankers can be called in if necessary.

The Incident Management Team has also taken over control of fighting the fire.

“They are highly specialized and trained in these more complex and larger fires,” Winter said. “We brought in the big guns. It really helps the people on the ground.”

Nitchie said a temporary camp is being set up at the rodeo grounds for firefighters who will have a much more visible presence in the small community 25 minutes north of Vernon on Highway 97.