View of fire in Scotch Creek area on Aug. 18 (submitted photo/X)

By Pete McIntyre

Shuswap region

UPDATE: Highway 1 closed until Monday

Aug 20, 2023 | 4:45 PM

UPDATE: 4 p.m.

The Trans Canada Highway will remain closed between Chase and Sorrento at least until Monday, Aug. 21 due to the Bush Creek East fire.

Drive BC says the next update is scheduled for Monday at 4 p.m.

Alternate routes are available on Highways 97 and 97A or 97B

Check Drive BC here for the latest.

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UPDATE: Aug. 20, 2023

Drive BC says Highway 1 remains closed between Chase and Sorrento due to wildfires.

The next update will be at 4 p.m. today, Sunday, Aug. 20.

Alternate routes are available on Highways 97 and 97A or 97B

Check Drive BC here for the latest.

UPDATE: 1:40 p.m.

Highway 1 between Chase and Sorrento is not expected to reopen until next week at the earliest.

Drive BC says due to the wildfire between Shuswap Ave. and Passchendaele Rd. (18 km) near Chase, there are downed hydro lines and the highway is closed until further notice.

Alternate routes are available on Highways 97 and 97A or 97B.

The next update on the closure will be Monday, Aug. 21 at 12 p.m.

UPDATE: 1:30 p.m.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District has issued an evacuation order and an evacuation alert for Sorrento/Skimikin area.

(CSRD image)

‘Unparalleled crisis’ in Shuswap as fires rage
Aug. 19, 2023

Highway 1 remains closed between Chase and Sorrento due what emergency officials are calling an “unparalleled crisis” in the Shuswap.

The Lower East Adams Lake and Bush Creek wildfires were burning aggressively on Friday and causing damage.

“Today marks an unprecedented and profoundly challenging day for the Shuswap region.We find ourselves in an unparalleled crisis as the Shuswap faces its most devastating wildfire day in history. Prioritizing your safety is paramount,” a statement from Derek Sutherland, emergency operations director for the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, said on Friday evening (Aug. 18).

The community of Sorrento was put on evacuation alert overnight just hours after an evacuation order was expanded for all of Magna Bay along Shuswap Lake.

Also on Friday, an evacuation order was expanded to cover Scotch Creek, Lee Creek, Celista and the Little River area between Squilax Bridge and Sorrento. Residents in Turtle Valley east of Chase were also ordered to leave their homes while the entire Village of Chase was put under an evacuation alert.

Reports on social media said a number of buildings in Scotch Creek were damaged including an unconfirmed report that the fire hall was consumed.

While Highway 1 is closed, alternate routes are available on Highways 97 and 97A or 97B.

Check Drive BC for the latest updates.

Check the Shuswap Emergency Program for updates.