Image Credit: S. Duncan

By Dave Barry & Vernon Matters Staff

Wildfire

UPDATE: White Rock Lake wildfire destroys properties in Monte Lake

Aug 6, 2021 | 10:00 AM

UPDATE Aug. 6

MONTE LAKE, B.C. – Reports say the majority of the community of Monte Lake and the nearby Paxton Valley have been wiped out by the White Rock Lake Fire.

Whipped-up by strong winds and the heat, the fire blazed through the area between Vernon and Kamloops Thursday night, with estimates it moved 18 kilometres over eight hours on Thursday.

Among the properties destroyed were the Monte Lake Store, a campground and a number of residences.

The fire has grown by about 13,000 hectares, now estimated at 45,000.

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The BC Wildfire Service said over the past 24-hours, predominant fire growth has been along the northeastern and eastern flanks, and the most southeastern perimeter is about five kilometers west of Westside Road. The most northern flank is approximately 13 kilometres southeast of Pritchard.

The Okanagan Indian Band expanded its evacuation order last night to include homes in the Newport area.

The Pritchard area, east of Kamloops, has been put on evacuation alert by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

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Fueled by strong winds, the White Rock Lake wildfire has left a devastating path of destruction through Monte Lake Thursday (Aug. 5) evening.

Scottie Duncan captured images of the aftermath of the fire in the Paxton Valley. He says he saw several properties that had been destroyed.

The BC Wildfire Service has confirmed the fire has crossed over Highway 97 just south of Monte Lake. It says steady southwesterly winds were pushing the fire northeast.

BC Wildfire Service personnel and RCMP are tactically evacuating those who have chosen to remain in Evacuation Order areas this evening (Aug. 5) in the Monte Lake and Westwold area.

Image Credit: S. Duncan

Meantime the City of Kamloops has activated its Emergency Operations Centre to deal with the White Rock Lake wildfire, which is south east of the city, and the Tremont Creek wildfire which has led to an Evacuation Alert for the community of Tobiano west of Kamloops. It says both fires have the potential to cross over municipal boundaries.

The chair of the Thompson Nicola Regional District, Ken Gillis, said on Friday parts of the community, including the Monte Lake Store, have been destroyed.

Gillis was told the blaze moved about 18 kilometres in about 8 hours on Thursday.