The July Mountain wildfire, Aug. 5, 2021.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Nickee Jackson
August 07, 2021 - 9:31 AM
A large wildfire burning near Highway 5 has prompted an evacuation order for homes in the area.
The July Mountain wildfire is roughly 5,669 hectares in size and is still classified as out of control. It is burning next to the highway, located to the southwest of Merritt.
Last night, Aug. 6, the Thompson Nicola Regional District issued an evacuation order for nearly 100 properties in Electoral Area “N” (Beautiful Nicola Valley-South).
The wildfire did see a good amount of rain overnight so the fire didn’t see any new growth, said B.C. Wildfire Service information officer Jean Strong.
There were three wildfire personnel patrolling the fire overnight, and this morning the fire was assessed by the Ministry of Transportation and the Coquihalla has been declared safe for travel, she said.
DriveB.C. still has an advisory for the area as the fire is highly visible from the road and the smoke may cause a distraction, Strong said.
“I can understand the anxiety, obviously keeping those main corridors open is a priority for us,” she said.
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