This still is taken from a film shot by Mastermind Studios showing the damage in the Loon Lake area from the Elephant Hill wildfire.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Thompson-Nicola Regional District
July 26, 2017 - 1:00 PM
KAMLOOPS – Yesterday's high and unexpected winds prompted an evacuation order and boosted fire activity in the Elephant Hill wildfire and today crews are considering controlled burns.
Yesterday, July 25, wind pushed the fire past western containment lines toward the Bonaparte River. Although no structures are threatened at this time, an evacuation order was issued this morning to some homes near Clinton.
If site and weather conditions are safe, controlled burns will take place starting today, July 26. Smoke columns, open flames and smoke may be visible from Cache Creek and surrounding areas if the burns go ahead, according to a release from the B.C. Wildfire Service.
Crews are looking to complete controlled burns north of Loon Lake, above Back Valley Road and along the southeast and east flanks of the Elephant Hill fire (formerly the Ashcroft Reserve wildfire).
The Elephant Hill wildfire is now about 61,500 hectares. There are 300 firefighters battling the blaze and more resources are being funnelled to manage the increased fire activity, according the B.C. Wildfire Service.
B.C. Wildfire says fire activity has been increasing around Loon Lake and today the Thompson-Nicola Regional District released drone footage of extensive damage in the area.
The growth of the Elephant Hill fire happened because of hot, dry conditions and strong winds from the east. Crews were not conducting controlled burns yesterday.
Go here to get caught up on coverage from the Elephant Hill fire and the B.C. wildfire situation.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Kim Anderson or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.
We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.
News from © iNFOnews, 2017