The Sparks Lake wildfire, June 30, 2021.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/BC Wildfire Service
July 02, 2021 - 4:43 PM
The out of control Sparks Lake wildfire northwest of Kamloops continues to grow in size and has reached 31,000 hectares this afternoon.
Yesterday, July 1, the B.C. Wildfire Service reported the fire, roughly 15 kilometres north of Kamloops lake, was 20,000 hectares. It was first discovered June 28.
“Visibility was limited for most of the day yesterday so air missions were hampered. Visibility has improved today,” the B.C. Wildfire Service said. “Smoke is visible from Kamloops and nearby communities.”
There are 93 firefighters, 15 helicopters and 26 pieces of heavy equipment are on scene today.
Crews continue to work in two divisions to establish control lines using heavy equipment, burn out where able from established control lines and establish pump hose lays.
“This is a 24 hour operation and there will be crews on site day and night. B.C. Wildfire Service is adjusting their resources to match the activity on the fire,” the wildfire service said.
An evacuation order is in effect for 163 properties, and 298 are on evacuation alert.
The cause of the fire is under investigation and suspected to be human caused.
Board chair Ken Gillis, with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, said he’s heard some structures were lost but didn’t have details.
Michelle Nordstrom, communications officer with the TNRD Emergency Operations Centre, said TNRD crews were unable to confirm if structures were lost yet in any of the three large wildfires in the district as the smoke has made it challenging to get an update today on what’s happening on the ground.
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