Smoke rising from the White Rock Lake wildfire, July 25, 2021.
Image Credit: B.C. Wildfire Service
July 26, 2021 - 10:55 AM
As nearly 140 wildfire firefighters try to tame the White Rock Lake wildfire, hot and windy conditions over the weekend pushed it further towards Westwold.
Aggressive fire activity moved the blaze toward the Jimmy Lake and Sawmill Lake areas on Sunday, July 25, and hot and dry conditions are expected to continue.
To aid the over 200 firefighters and support staff assigned White Rock Lake, 100 firefighters and 12 support staff arrived from Quebec on July 25. Thy will stay at the Salmon Lake Resort while they assist the wildfire service at White Rock Lake.
B.C. Wildfire Service now estimates the White Rock Lake wildfire to cover 12,500 hectares southwest of Westwold, which has prompted evacuation orders for at least 73 properties and put over 300 on alert by the Thompson Nicola Regional District.
The evacuation status for properties around Westwold and Monte Lake has remained unchanged since July 20.
According to the wildfire service, there is a task force of fire engines now patrolling the area to protect structures and douse hotspots.
There are 35 heavy equipment units building fire guards at the blaze near Westwold, which have been used to create wider safe zones along the guard lines for ground crews to take cover should the fire suddenly become more aggressive.
From the air, the wildfire service continues to assess daily weather conditions allow for airtankers to drop retardant. An airtanker may be used near guard lines today.
Six helicopters, however, will be bucketing water at White Rock Lake on July 26.
The White Rock Lake wildfire remains out of control, since it was discovered July 13. The cause remains under investigation.
Go here for more information on evacuation notices and emergency services from the Thompson Nicola Regional District.
Go here for more wildfire stories from iNFOnews.ca.
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