Lauren Birchard's view of the Embleton Mountain wildfire from her living room window in Sun Peaks, Tuesday, July 7, 2021.
Image Credit: Lauren Birchard
July 15, 2021 - 1:30 PM
A wildfire burning near Sun Peaks has seen minimal growth in the last 24 hours.
The Embleton Mountain wildfire, located seven kilometres west of Sun Peaks, is estimated to be 516 hectares in size as of this morning, July 15.
“Yesterday, July 14, operations went well. There has been minimal growth in the past 24 hours with only light winds observed on-site. Today, July 15, winds are forecast from the southwest 8-15 km/hr in the morning increasing to southwest 15-20 km/hr, gusting up to 25 km/hr in the afternoon,” according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
The fire was discovered July 9 and is still classified as out of control.
“Crews are working with the structure protection unit to protect properties and are working along the Lower Heffley-Louis Creek Road and the paved road into Whitecroft,” according to the service.
Heavy equipment is working to complete a machine guard from Whitecroft moving southwest to the gravel pit on the paved road into Whitecroft. Heavy equipment is also building a guard in the northeast corner to keep the fire south of the switchbacks on the McClure forest service road, according to the service.
There will be a 20-person unit crew on site today to continue fuel modification work.
Mayor Al Raine said the biggest concern for the fire at this point is the main road access to Sun Peaks, but it’s been quiet this morning and is slowly burning down a hill towards Whitecroft.
“We need a little rain but I don’t think it’s in the forecast,” Raine said, adding that it’s a bit smoky in Sun Peaks and the fire appears to be a smouldering type burn at this time.
“I think it’s quite accessible for the fire departments,” he said.
He estimated there’s about 800 residents in the town at this time.
An evacuation alert is in effect for the municipality and the Thompson Nicola Regional District has an evacuation order and alert in effect for 132 properties in Electoral Area P (Rivers and the Peaks). For more information on alerts and orders, visit the regional district’s website.
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