The Thompson-Nicola Regional District downgraded the evacuation order to alert for Whitecroft area

Photo: Contributed

UPDATE: 8:18 p.m.

The evacuation order for the Whitecroft area in Electoral Area "P" (Rivers and Peaks) has been downgraded to an evacuation alert for 139 properties.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District also rescinded the evacuation alert in Electoral "P" for the 148 properties near Heffley Lake, it is now 'all clear.'

The TNRD says the threat of wildfire in the area no longer poses an imminent risk to the safety of residents.

Photo: TNRD

ORIGNAL: 6:27 a.m.

Crews continue to build and secure a fuel-free buffer zone on the southwest flank of the Embleton wildfire burning west of Sun Peaks.

In a Wednesday night update, the BC Wildfire Service says crews are tying that zone into a machine guard to the south.

"The machine guard and water delivery system in the northeast, south of the McClure switchbacks, has been completed and danger tree assessors/fallers are continuing to work along this control line to remove danger trees and ensure crew safety," the wildfire service says.

Personnel continue to conduct 24-hour patrols to monitor structure protection apparatus that have been installed throughout the community.

The fire was last listed as having burned an estimated 920 hectares and remains out of control.

Evacuation orders and alerts remain in place.

The Heffley-Louis Creek Road is open only to residents, employees, and property owners travelling to or from their residence that is not under evacuation order.

On Wednesday, one helicopter, 20 firefighters, two structure protection crews (11 personnel), Sun Peaks Fire Rescue, 10 pieces of heavy equipment, and five danger tree assessors/fallers were working on the blaze.