A fire burning near Sicamous is getting BC Wildfire attention today.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/B.C. Wildfire
July 20, 2021 - 1:42 PM
B.C. Wildfire crews have been sent to the Shuswap to assist the Sicamous and Swansea Point fire departments with a seemingly fast moving fire that's already prompted evacuations.
The fire, which is burning two kilometres southeast of Sicamous, is estimated to be 10 hectares and is classified as out of control, a B.C. Wildfire representative said. While B.C. Wildfire said it can't confirm the cause as of yet, witnesses have said the fire was sparked by a car crash.
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District said in a press release that the fire south of Two Mile Creek is near homes in Sicamous and a tactical evacuation is underway. As well, the entire district is under evacuation alert.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/CSRD
The area landfill is closed until further notice.
Highway 97A is closed due to the car accident. DriveBC says it will attempt to update the road closure at 5 p.m.
Some residents are reporting a loss of power.
Witnesses on scene say water bombers are having difficulty with boats on the lake that are getting in the way. RCMP has asked that they disperse.
Stay up to date on alerts through this link.
— This story was updated at 2:04 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2021 to include new information about the evacuation alert.
— This story was updated at 3:32 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2021 to include new information about the cause of fire and road closure.
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