The Brook Creek wildfire, burning near Brookmere, caused the community's evacuation last night.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Scott Nelson
August 15, 2021 - 12:15 PM
A wildfire that caused the evacuation of the unincorporated settlement of Brookmere yesterday is now mapped at 200 hectares.
The wildfire was discovered yesterday, Aug. 14 and was human caused, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
"The fire is growing to the northeast of Brookmere. A tactical evacuation took place yesterday for properties imminently threatened at the time," according to the service’s latest update. An evacuation order was issued by the Thompson Nicola Regional District last night for roughly 100 properties in the area. Almost 100 more remain on evacuation alert.
Due to the wildfire’s close proximity to the July Mountain wildfire burning beside the Coquihalla, resources are being shared between the two fires, said B.C. Wildfire information officer Noelle Kekula.
The B.C. Wildfire Service said dry conditions, heat and increased winds may challenge fire suppression efforts today.
Williams Lake resident Scott Nelson, who was in the area, said the wildfire was started by a truck fire about one kilometre away from Brookmere causing the evacuation of the community.
Kekula would not comment further on how the fire started other than it was human caused.
The service is working to establish guards around the fire. "All of our major fires are priorities and we are trying to manage them to the best of our ability and see what the winds and weather brings for us today,” Kekula said.
READ MORE: New wildfire places nearly 100 homes on evacuation alert southwest of Merritt
The July Mountain wildfire, burning to the south of Merritt, is listed at 7,476 hectares in size as of this morning.
“The fire has seen growth on the south end of the fire and the northeast flank adjacent Highway 5. This fire remains highly visible to the surrounding area, but the highway is not impacted at this time,” according to the service.
A travel advisory is in effect for Highway 5 due to the smoke.
For more information on evacuation orders and alerts, visit the regional district’s website.
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