Tremont Creek wildfire just 16 kilometres away from Logan Lake, District urging residents to spread evacuation alert awareness

Photo: BC Wildfire Service

The perimeter of the Tremont Creek wildfire burning near Ashcroft Saturday.

UPDATED: 9:22 p.m.

The District of Logan Lake issued a press release together with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District on Saturday, stating that they have identified and acknowledged issues and concerns with the VOYENT App.

Updates as necessary will come from the district via their website (loganlake.ca), the District of Logan Lake Facebook page, the Digital Sign, and the TV Scroll.

The District noted that the Travel Route Planning is dependent on Fire Activity and EMBC Reception Centre direction.

"It is possible, in the event of an evacuation order, that residents will be asked to travel in different directions out of the community based on subdivisions and to avoid congestion," the release reads.

"Additionally, it is possible that some areas will be evacuated and others will not. We are planning a tactical evacuation dependent on real-time information."

Travel Route Evacuation Information and Reception Centre Registration information will be provided only in the event of an Evacuation Order.

A Message was also delivered from Mayor Robin Smith, which is unedited below:

In order to ensure that the entire community is aware of the Evacuation ALERT, the District of Logan Lake is asking you to please check in with your neighbours, friends, and family and to share this information. Logan Lake prides itself on a kind, caring community. We have watched this community come together, look out for, and help one another through the Pandemic. Please continue to care for each other. We understand that everyone is worried, help each other to remain calm and trust that the District of Logan Lake together with all the entities above are working tirelessly on your behalf.

ORIGINAL: 12:27 p.m.

Firefighters continue to see “vigorous fire behaviour” on the Tremont Creek wildfire, burning east of Ashcroft.

Friday night and through Saturday morning, the fire has grown in the east and northeast directions, through the Guichon Creek forest service road and into the western edge of Tunkwa Provincial Park. An evacuation order was issued for the park Friday.

The large fire is now estimated at more than 26,000 hectares Saturday morning.

“The fire is currently 16 kilometres northwest of Logan Lake and is moving in an easterly to northeasterly direction at a moderate pace,” the BCWS said Saturday morning adding that while Logan Lake is not facing an imminent threat, it's now under an evacuation alert.

More smoke may be visible from the fire Saturday, as fire behaviour is expected to increase.

“The visible increase in activity is along the southwest flank where unburned fuel within the fires perimeter, and along the active flank on the eastern and north eastern side, is currently burning,” the BCWS said.

“The fire continues to be extremely active on the south flank and will most likely continue to increase in size moderately along this flank. The northern flank of the fire from Barnes Lake to Walhachin has very minimal to no observed fire activity.

There are 54 firefighters working on the blaze Saturday, along with seven helicopters and 30 pieces of heavy equipment. An additional 15 municipal firefighters are working to protect structures in the area, with crews working through the night.