Photo: James Andrew – Twitter
UPDATE 9:45 p.m
The City of Kamloops says the Watching Creek wildfire is not a threat to the city at this time.
The city made the announcement on its social media accounts Monday evening as the wildfire northwest of the city gained intensity during the day.
The fire, which was spotted on Friday, has grown to 80 hectares due to intense heat and strong winds.
“Kamloops Fire Rescue is in regular contact with BC Wildfire regarding the Watching Creek wildfire,” the statement said.
“The fire is NOT a threat to Kamloops at this time.
“BC Wildfire is monitoring the fire and will notify the city if it becomes a threat. We will post updates as the situation changes.”
Kamloops Fire Rescue is in regular contact with BC Wildfire regarding the Watching Creek wildfire. The fire is NOT a threat to Kamloops at this time. BC Wildfire is monitoring the fire and will notify the city if it becomes a threat. We will post updates if the situation changes. pic.twitter.com/FowDfVFteB
— City of Kamloops (@cityofkamloops) August 2, 2022
UPDATE 7:35 p.m
A number of properties in the Watching Creek wildfire area have been placed under evacuation alerts.
The announcement from Thompson-Nicola Regional County comes as the fire showed increased activity Monday afternoon due to high temperatures and high winds.
It has grown in size to about 80 hectares.
The evacuation warning says the fire in Constituency J poses a threat to life and property in the following areas:
- The northwestern edge of the Lac Du Bois Grasslands Conservation Area
- East, including Pass Lake, McQueen Lake and Isobel Lake
A news release said there are a number of properties in the area, including one civic address, the McQueen Lake Environmental Education Center.
The fire was first detected last Friday. The increased activity forced the British Columbia Wildfire Service to evacuate ground crews from the fire area.
Photo: TNRD
UPDATE 5:10 p.m
The BC Wildfire Service says ground crews working on the Watching Creek wildfire northwest of Kamloops have been evacuated from the area.
The move was made Monday afternoon with strong winds and high temperatures causing an increase in fire behavior.
Smoke from the fire, which was first spotted on Friday, is now visible from across Kamloops and the surrounding area.
Ground crews and air resources have been battling the blaze since its discovery on July 29. This afternoon, due to increased fire behavior driven by winds and high temperatures, ground crews were evacuated from the wildfire area.
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 1, 2022
ORIGINAL 4:15 p.m
A large amount of smoke suddenly visible over the hills northwest of Kamloops is from a fire that started three days ago.
Smoke is rising from the Watching Creek wildfire, which was first reported last Friday, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
Fire Information Officer Aidan Corey says hot and dry conditions combined with strong winds this afternoon contributed to the fire.
BCWS expects to have more information on the fire later this afternoon.
Photo: Joe N
The Watching Creek wildfire on Monday
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