Highway 97C residents on fire alert

NEWS/ WILDFIRES — Twenty-eight properties are on evacuation alert in an area 15 km southeast of Ashcroft as fire crews try to get a handle on the 600-hectare Coldstream Creek fire.

The B.C. Wildfire Management Branch said the fire grew quickly yesterday and hot, dry conditions and strong winds challenged fire suppression efforts. The fire is burning north of Highway 97C between Ashcroft and Logan Lake.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District issued the alert Monday night for all properties on North Road and Landon Road as well as 4515 and 4525 Highway 97C. An evacuation alert means residents should be prepared to evacuate if required.

Sixty-three firefighters were being assisted by a helicopter and six air tankers.

The B.C .Wildfire Service has responded to 24 new lightning-caused fires within the Kamloops Fire Centre since Sunday. The Bolean Lake wildfire five km. northwest of Falkland is estimated at 300 hectares. Firefighters there have been hampered by wind. Twenty-four properties were on alert Monday.

An evacuation order has been recommended for 70 homes on the west side of Okanagan Lake above Westside Road. That fire is 175 hectares and ranked as “highly vigorous.”

The troublesome Puntzi Lake fire in the Chilcotin is mostly contained but covers more than 8,000 hectares.