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Vernon  

Evacuation order, additional alerts issued for Sitkum Creek wildfire

Evac order for Sugar Lake

UPDATE 5:10 p.m.

The Regional District of North Okanagan has issued an evacuation order for the east side of Sugar Lake as the Sitkum Creek Wildfire continues to burn.

“All lands east of Sugar Lake, from the southern end to the northern tip, and from the east shore to a line north south-through Initiative Peak,” said the RDNO in an email. “This region includes all sites within Sugar Lake Resort at 1630 Sugar Lake Road”

All recreational properties on the west shore of Sugar Lake are now on an evacuation alert.

BC Wildfire Service continues to monitor the Sitkum Creek wildfire, as it remains too dangerous for ground crews to work on. BCWS says there’s no safe area to anchor crews or resources to work on the 1,501-hectare blaze which is burning 63 kilometres northeast of Vernon.

“This wildfire will be monitored by frequent flights when aerial conditions allow, until it moves to an area where fire suppression activities may take place,” said BCWS in an email.

“Bucketing or dropping retardant alone, very rarely is enough to extinguish a wildfire. Aviation and ground resources must work together to suppress wildfires.”

A response officer and helicopter are continuing to monitor the fire’s progression and assess objectives.

Structure protection is now underway in the east and southern portions of the lake, conducting initial structural protection.


ORIGINAL11:32 a.m.

The Sitkum Creek wildfire burning east of Sugar Lake has grown to 1,501 hectares as of Tuesday morning and the steep elevation is making the fire hard to work on.

BC Wildfire Service Information Officer Cali Messman says the fire is spreading slightly down the western slope the mountain but remains in high elevation.

"In the area there's quite steep terrain and with the fire behaviour, it remains unsafe for ground resources," said Messman.

The fire is displaying rank three fire behaviour with pockets of rank four behaviours. This means the there's an organized surface flame front with a moderate to fast rate of speed and candling throughout the trees.

Air crews are monitoring the blaze to try and find ways to work on the fire, but as of Tuesday morning no bucketing is taking place.

The Regional District of North Okanagan issued an evacuation alert on Monday evening for all lands east of Sugar Lake Road from the southern end to the northern tip, and from the east shore of to a line north south-through Initiative Peak. The area includes all sites within Sugar Lake Resort at 1630 Sugar Lake Road.

The Okanagan Shuswap Forest District also implemented a road closure on Monday evening at the 2.5 kilometre mark on Kate Creek Fire Service Road to limit access to the evacuation alert area.



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