Aerial image of the Hunakwa Lake Fire taken on July 14. (Photo credit: BC Wildfire Service)

By Pete McIntyre

Fire growing

UPDATE: Homes evacuated due to wildfire along Shuswap Lake

Jul 22, 2021 | 8:30 AM

UPDATE  8:30 a.m. July 22

A wildfire near the north end of Shuswap Lake has led to an evacuation order for part of the community of Seymour Arm.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District issued the order this morning covering the following areas:

• All residences within the community of Seymour Arm that are in the neighbourhood of Tranquility Bay
• All properties east of Seymour Arm Bay Road and Seymour River Road at Bughouse Bay and including Tipman Road and Bradley Road and the boat-in only properties

At last report, the fire was estimated at 1,100 hectares, classified as out of control, and believed started by lightning.

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https://twitter.com/shuswapemerg/status/1418278028283629568

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No major growth in wildfire near Seymour Arm July 17, 2021

There has been no significant growth in the size of the Hunakwa Lake Fire since the last update July 16, which estimated the fire size at 1,100 hectares. There has, however, been some increase in fire behaviour.

In an aerial survey conducted Saturday, some fire candling was observed in areas of the fire. Candling is where a tree or small clump of trees ignites and flares up from bottom to top, and this can easily ignite adjacent vegetation.

As a result, the precautionary Evacuation Alert remains in effect for the community of Seymour Arm until further notice.

The increased fire behaviour, however, was primarily observed on a ridge moving away from the community.

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is monitoring the fire through satellite imagery and is continuing to conduct daily fly-overs of the fire to gauge fire growth and behaviour. They are updating the Shuswap Emergency Program regularly.

BCWS continues with plans to use machinery to widen existing roads and trails to build a fire guard for the community. As well, water sprinklers are being strategically deployed to protect structures which are closest to the fire. A CSRD Structural Protection Unit arrived in Seymour Arm this morning and will be assisting with these efforts.

Seymour Arm residents should still be prepared to leave the community on short notice, if fire behaviour shifts. This includes packing at least one week’s worth of clothing and toiletries as part of preparations and keeping all vehicles filled with gas.

All Seymour Arm residents are reminded to self-register with Emergency Support Services online through this link: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/

As accommodations in the Shuswap are limited at this time, arrangements should be made to stay with family and friends, if possible.

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Wildfire slowly moving towards Seymour Arm July 16, 2021

The BC Wildfire Service is working with other agencies and private industry on planning and placement of a machine-built fire guard to assist in the protection of the community of Seymour
Arm.

The community on Shuswap Lake remains on Evacuation Alert, meaning residents and any remaining visitors need to be prepared for evacuation on short notice.

The Hunakwa Lake Fire continues to grow, primarily upslope, into unpopulated areas, however, fire spread is slowly moving north, towards the community of Seymour Arm.

The fire is now estimated at 1,100 hectares.

BC Wildfire is closely monitoring the situation and is updating the Shuswap Emergency Program regularly.

Backed by the Wildfire Service, the CSRD has sent three fire crews along with three fire trucks to Seymour Arm to assist with fire protection. These crews are on site and ready to deal with any
community protection efforts, as needed.

A Structural Protection Unit is being deployed to the community of Seymour Arm, which includes five structural firefighters, two vehicles and a trailer equipped with water sprinkling systems.

Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s FireSmart representatives have also travelled to Seymour Arm to provide advice and information to property owners about how to reduce their fire risk to
their home and property.

All Seymour Arm residents are reminded to self-register with Emergency Support Services online through this link: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/ When registering, please indicate the community
as Seymour Arm. This step is critical as it provides important information in case of an evacuation.

It is advised for residents to pack up at least one week’s worth of clothing and toiletries as part of their preparations. Vehicles should be kept filled with gas. As accommodations in the Shuswap are
limited at this time, arrangements should be made to stay with family and friends, if possible.

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Seymour Arm evacuation alert continues July 15, 2021

SEYMOUR ARM, B.C. — The community of Seymour Arm on Shuswap Lake remains on evacuation alert as a fire in the vicinity continues to grow.

The BC Wildfire Service says the Hunakwa Lake fire has gone from 230 hectares on Wednesday, (July 14) to 650 hectares today.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) says the fire is mostly growing upslope into unpopulated areas, however, there has been some fire spread to the north, towards the community of Seymour Arm.

Backed by the BC Wildfire Service, the CSRD has sent three fire crews along with three fire trucks to Seymour Arm to assist with fire protection. A structural protection unit has been dispatched to assist.

Some CSRD’s FireSmart representatives have also travelled to Seymour Arm to provide advice and information to property owners about how to reduce their fire risk to their home and property.

BC Wildfire is also assessing the situation regularly and is developing a protection plan for the community.

All Seymour Arm residents are reminded to self-register with Emergency Support Services online through this link: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/ When registering, please indicate the community as Seymour Arm. This step is critical as it provides important information in case of an evacuation.

Residents need to be prepared for evacuation on short notice. Vehicles should be kept filled with gas. It is advised for residents to pack up at least one week’s worth of clothing and toiletries as part of their preparations.

As accommodations in the Shuswap are limited, arrangements should be made to stay with family and friends, if possible.

Visitors staying in the Seymour Arm area should consider changing their vacation plans and relocating out of the evacuation alert area.