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UPDATE: 9:15 p.m.
Residents of Eagle Valley Manor, an assisted living facility in Sicamous, are being evacuated as a proactive measure as the Two Mile Road wildfire burns just two kilometres south of the municipality.
In a statement issued Tuesday evening, Interior Health said community health clients and residents are being evacuated with support staff to neighbouring communities.
The health authority said anyone who wishes to confirm the location of a loved one can call 1-877-442-2001.
The Sicamous Health Centre has also been evacuated, according to Interior Health.
The COVID-19 immunization clinic in Sicamous is cancelled, and those with appointments will be contacted directly to reschedule.
“We are working closely with municipalities, regional districts and the BC Wildfire service to ensure precautions are underway to protect patients, clients and residents,” Interior Health said in a statement.
On Tuesday afternoon, an evacuation order was expanded for homes on the south side of Sicamous due to the wildfire.
The order is in effect for all residences in the District of Sicamous to the south of Sherlock Road, Southeast of Cook Avenue, Gillis Avenue, Larch Avenue, east of the Sicamous Narrows and Mara Lake, and north of Sicamous Creek.
An evacuation alert is in effect for many other Sicamous properties.
More information on properties affected by evacuation orders and alerts can be found on the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District website.
The Two Mile Road wildfire — now considered a wildfire of note — is an estimated 60 hectares in size, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
The BC Wildfire Service said 16 firefighters and five helicopters are fighting the blaze.
According to DriveBC, Highway 97A is closed between Emeny Road and Sicamous Creek Frontage Road due to the wildfire.
A detour is in effect via Highway 97B.
UPDATE: 8:20 p.m.
The evacuation of approximately 1,000 residents took place this evening in the District of Sicamous.
A reception centre has been set up at the Sicamous Seniors Centre, 1091 Shuswap Ave.
BC Wildfire Service is aggressively fighting the fire at Two Mile Creek.
The Shuswap Emergency Program and CSRD fire departments are supporting the firefighting efforts and structural protection support.
UPDATE: 3:25 p.m.
An evacuation order has been expanded for homes on the south side of Sicamous as a wildfire continues to burn out of control.
The fire is now estimated at 60 hectares in size by the BC Wildfire Service.
The evacuation order is in effect for the following area:
All residences within the District of Sicamous that lie to the south of Sherlock Road, southeast of Cook Avenue, Gillis Avenue, Larch Avenue, east of the Sicamous Narrows and Mara Lake, and north of Sicamous Creek.
UPDATE: 2 p.m.
An evacuation alert for most of Sicamous south of the Trans-Canada Highway has been issued as a wildfire burns just south of the community.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District says the fire burning in the area of Two Mile Creek on the boundary of the District of Sicamous and Electoral Area E may pose a danger to people and property.
The evacuation alert is in effect for the District of Sicamous, south of the Trans-Canada Highway, up to its eastern and western boundaries.
Residents should be ready to leave and may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.
UPDATE: 12:50 p.m.
A new wildfire burning just south of Sicamous has quickly ballooned to 10 hectares in size.
The BC Wildfire Service says the fire, which it has labelled the Wise Man Creek fire, is burning out of control.
The wildfire service is responding with six ground personnel and multiple helicopters.
The fire is burning close to Highway 97A and has prompted a tactical evacuation of homes in the area.
The wildfire service says aircraft will be using nearby water sources for suppression activities, and boaters are urged to remain clear of the area.
UPDATE: 12:35 p.m.
DriveBC is reporting a vehicle incident in the area of a new wildfire burning just south of Sicamous.
It's unclear at this point whether the two are related, but both the BC Wildfire Service dashboard and DriveBC map show the incident at the same location.
The incident has closed Highway 97A in both directions between Sicamous Creek Frontage and Wolfe Road.
An estimated time of reopening is not available.
UPDATE: 12:20 p.m.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District says a tactical evacuation is underway for homes nearest to a new wildfire burning just south of Sicamous.
The CSRD says assessments are continuing, and the Sicamous landfill has been closed until further notice.
The fire burning just south of Two Mile Creek in Electoral Area E.
Photos from the scene show the fire is advancing to the north, closer to town.
Castanet has a reporter headed to the scene.
ORIGINAL: 11:45 a.m.
A new wildfire has sparked near Sicamous.
The fire is located near Highway 97A, above Mara Lake.
BC Wildfire Service personnel are responding to the scene.
BCWS crews will assist the Sicamous and Swansea Point fire department in controlling the blaze, a spokesperson says.
The blaze appears to have sparked up sometime before 11 a.m. Tuesday.
Witness Melissa Rodgers near the scene of the fire reports that Highway 97A is now closed as the blaze is "quickly approaching town."
There is no information yet on the size of the fire.
The wildfire service expects to have more information this afternoon.
Castanet will keep you updated with the latest from the scene.
