The Sparks Lake wildfire remains out of control at about 750 hectares, according to B.C. Wildfire Service. Nine nearby properties are ordered to evacuate now.
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June 29, 2021 - 5:22 PM
An evacuation order has been issued for nine properties near the Sparks Lake wildfire raging out of control northwest of Kamloops.
The order comes from the Thompson Nicola Regional District, as the Sparks Lake wildfire grew to about 750 hectares today, June 29, and poses a threat to life and structures.
Anyone in the area is to leave and report to McArthur Island Sports Centre parking lot at 1655 Island Parkway in Kamloops, according to the regional district. Evacuees are to remain in or around their vehicle when they arrive, but they can self-register for Emergency Support Services here.
Electoral Area "J" is now under a state of emergency, according to the Thompson Nicola Regional District.
"The emergency powers are used to order the evacuation of residents from their homes, prohibit travel and enter private property when an emergency threatens lives, property, or the environment within the (regional district's) jurisdiction," a release from the regional district reads.
The out of control wildfire is suspected to have been human-caused and, since its discovery on June 28, it's quickly grown.
The Sparks Lake wildfire has doubled since this morning, June 29, when the wildfire was estimated at roughly 350 hectares.
Currently, 47 firefighters are on the scene, with six helicopters and six pieces of heavy machinery.
The following nine properties are under an evacuation order from the regional district:
• 8092 Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd
• 8088 Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd
• 4000 Leblond Rd
• 7900 Seven Lakes Rd
• 8185 Seven Lakes Rd
• 7750 Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd
• 7645 Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd
• 7560 Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd
• 7501 Tranquille-Criss Creek Rd
See the Thompson Nicola Regional District's evacuation status map here.
Read the evacuation alert details from the regional district here.
—This story was updated at 5:18 p.m., June 29, 2021, to say that the Thompson Nicola Regional District has issued a state of emergency.
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