BC Wildfire personnel take part in a community meeting with residents impacted by the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire. on July 26. (Photo credit: CSRD)

By Pete McIntyre

Fire update

Residents get in person update on Shuswap fires

Jul 26, 2023 | 5:30 PM

Wildfires burning in the Shuswap now have an incident command team in charge of the firefighting effort.

The BC Wildfire Service has assigned the team to the Adams Complex which includes the Lower East Adams Lake and East Bush Creek wildfires.

“This provides additional resources to the fires in the area including aerial operations,” a news release from the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) stated.

More than 100 properties in the CSRD, Thompson Nicola Regional District and Adams Lake Indian Band reserve are under evacuation alerts due to the Lower East Adams Lake fire.

The Wildfire Service along with members of the Shuswap Emergency Program, RCMP, Adams Lake Indian Band and Adams Lake Ferry held a community meeting Wednesday, July 26 for the affected residents under evacuation alert due to the lightning-caused blaze.

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Here is the latest update on the Lower East Adams fire, as of 5 p.m. July 26:

• The fire is estimated at 2,000 hectares (no change) and still classified as out of control
• The fire continues to burn in steep terrain that is inoperable for ground crews.
• Lower temperatures are helping to reduce active fire behaviour.
• Movement on the fire continues primarily towards the north side of the fire, away from structures.
• There are heavy lift helicopters bucketing the south flank of the fire, closest to the structures, today, July 26.
• Structure protection teams have also been brought in today to plan the deployment of a mass water delivery system being brought to the area. This will complement the additional sprinkler units assigned to this fire.

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