Update:
Firefighters will continue to use air tankers and helicopters Thursday to battle the Flat Lake wildfire, now listed at 8,725 hectares.
BC Wildfire Service information officer Erin Bull said Thursday ground support will also be used to provide structural protection in the area, focusing on the west flank of the fire. She noted the aggressive fire behaviour has prevented crews from directly fighting the blaze.
“The fire activity is challenging,” she said.
Bull noted while there was some growth overnight, the fire is still a long way away from Highway 97, which has been reopened, although a travel advisory is in place.
Several evacuation orders and alerts remain in place.
Original story:
The Flat Lake wildfire, which prompted several evacuation orders and alerts Wednesday, is now listed at 8,725 hectares in size.
The blaze grew significantly overnight Tuesday and throughout the day Wednesday, primarily to the east towards Highway 97, due in part to low humidity and strong winds, according to a BC Wildfire Service update.
An evacuation order is in place for 1,074 properties between Flat Lake and Green Lake North, including parts of Lone Butte. The District of 100 Mile House, Horse Lake and Sheridan Lake were placed under evacuation alert around midday. Another 650 properties in Electoral Area E (Bonaparte Plateau) are also on alert.
Highway 97 remains closed in both directions at 83 Mile Road.
Fire crews today focused on structure protection via air tankers and helicopters; aggressive fire behaviour prevented ground crews from directly fighting the blaze.
More to come
