Image Credit: FACEBOOK/BC Wildfire Service
August 02, 2023 - 1:00 PM
A wildfire south of Kamloops is within 5 kilometres of the Coquihalla Highway as it steadily grows on the Thompson Plateau.
The Rossmoore Lake wildfire is over 4,100 hectares in size as winds continue to push the blaze northward.
BC Wildfire Service information officer Forrest Tower said growth on its western flank has been slow, however, spreading roughly a kilometre in that direction over the past few days. He said fire activity is staying mostly within predetermined guards, with aerial crews watching for hotspots throughout the day.
Most recent mapping suggest the fire is 4.5 kilometres from Highway 5 and about three kilometres from Lac Le Jeune. It remains about 10 kilometres from the southern city limits of Kamloops.
Smoke columns can be seen from Kamloops and Highway 5 as the fire, which was discovered July 21, continues to be fanned by northward winds.
Evacuation orders were recently downgraded to alerts for the Lac Le Jeune area, but 18 properties in the fire area remain under evacuation. One hundred fifty-six properties were also given the all clear on July 28, while 327 properties in the surrounding area remain on evacuation alert, according to the Thompson Nicola Regional District.
Continued hot and dry conditions are expected to increase the fire's behaviour in the coming days, especially on the west and south flanks, according to the wildfire service. Winds are expected to subside on Thursday and Friday, but temperatures will remain high.
The Rossmoore Lake wildfire is one of two in the Adams Lake complex sharing 11 helicopters.
The Lower East Adams Lake wildfire is measured at roughly 2,520 hectares, while the Bush Creek East wildfire is around 980 hectares.
The former is growing steadily, but it's been moving to higher elevations and away from nearby properties, while the latter has stayed contained within its perimeter, Tower said.
For more information on emergency alerts from the Thompson Nicola Regional District, go here.
Go here for emergency updates from the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.
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