Shuswap fire growing, over 1,700 hectares

Jul 23, 2023 | 8:30 PM

The Lower East Adams Lake wildfire, north of Chase, saw significant growth overnight and into today (July 23), with the size now estimated at 1,786 hectares.

At approximately the same time yesterday, the fire size was estimated at 320 hectares.

Growth of the fire again continues primarily to the north, away from populated areas. There was some creeping of the fire on the south flank towards structures.
Winds continue to push the fire away from the Evacuation Alert area affecting 92 properties in the CSRD on Rawson Road. Alerts also remain in place for the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and the Adams Lake Indian Band.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) reports fire behaviour levels increasing yesterday, pushing the fire level into Rank 3-4. These levels of fire behaviour involve active, organized burning along the fire front and some movement of fire up into the tree canopy.
Terrain and access have been challenging on this blaze. As a result, BCWS has deemed this fire unsafe for firefighters, so they are unable to have ground personnel working on this wildfire at this time.
In making this decision, BCWS emphasizes that the safety of firefighters is their top priority and ground personnel will respond to this incident only if conditions are deemed to be safe enough.
Helicopters are working in the area today providing bucketing support and the focus remains on reducing fire spread towards populated areas near the shoreline of Adams Lake.

The Lower East Adams Lake fire is the only blaze within the jurisdiction of the CSRD that is posing any risk to people or property at this time.

Shuswap fire growing, over 1,700 hectares

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