(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

The Embleton Mountain wildfire near Sun Peaks has grown to 290 hectares as this morning as fire crews continue work to contain it.

B.C. Wildfire Service says the blaze, seven kilometres west of Sun Peaks, remains out of control and is aggressive.

The Thompson Nicola Regional District issued an evacuation order for 132 properties in Whitecroft on Saturday, July 10. Hundreds more remain on alert, including the entire municipality of Sun Peaks.

Sun Peaks residents are asked to use Heffley Louis Creek Road toward Kamloops if the alert is escalated to an evacuation order. However, if that route is impassible, McGillivary Lake Forestry Road will be used as a secondary evacuation route. Anyone who is not a full time resident of Sun Peaks is urged not to visit as the municipality prepares for a potential evacuation.

At the mountain resort, all "key operations" are closed on Monday, July 12, including the Sunburst Express chair lift, golf course, and rental and retail locations.

There are 24 firefighters at the scene on Monday, July 12, with three helicopters and heavy equipment.

The wildfire service has structure protection units on site as the fire has put properties at risk, and the local fire department is also there to assist.

The Embleton Mountain wildfire was discovered on July 8 and the cause remains under investigation.

Meanwhile, the Sparks Lake wildfire northwest of Kamloops is estimated at 40,267 hectares as the wildfire service continues to establish fire guards.

The wildfire service has 128 firefighters at the Sparks Lake wildfire, with ten helicopters and 60 pieces of heavy equipment. As well, 29 structure protection personnel and ten Skeetchestn firefighters are also at the scene.

As crews on both the south and north flanks of the fire work to establish and maintain fire guards, planned ignitions are also planned for July 12 in the Uren Mountain area of the fire.

The Napier wildfire, about 30 kilometres south of Kamloops is being held at 56 hectares. Eight firefighters are mopping up the active fire with helicopters available if needed.

Updates on evacuation orders and alerts from the Thompson Nicola Regional District can be found here, and from the Sun Peaks municipal website here.

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