The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) declared a State of Local Emergency for Electoral Area “O” (Lower North Thompson) Thursday evening, (July 25) and issued an evacuation order and expanded evacuation alert due to the Dunn Creek wildfire.
The Dunn Creek wildfire is located six kilometres east of Little Fort on the east side of Dunn Lake.
As of Friday morning, July 26, the Dunn Creek wildfire is estimated at 1,260.6 hectares. It was discovered on July 22 and remains out of control.
The Chu Chua Volunteer Fire Department updated residents Friday morning, noting the Simpcw EOC met with the incident commander for the Dunn Creek fire Thursday evening, and issued the evacuation order and expanded alert to the north side of the lake due to increased fire behaviour.
"Skimmers did action the fire late last night, BCWS will have 40 on-ground firefighters, two helicopters and possibly additional fire support, on the fire today. BCWS and contractors have spilled guard on both the north and south end of the fires, the south end also has sprinklers on the guard," notes the update. "SFN and DFO will be pulling the remainder of the fish out of the hatchery this morning."
Dunn Lake Road is now closed due to the wildfire, and only emergency personnel are allowed on the road from 22km south of Clearwater to 28km north of Barriere.
The Evacuation Order is now in effect for approximately four addressed properties in Electoral Area “O” (Lower North Thompson).
Impacted areas are as follows:
- 10570 Dunn Lake Rd
- 10665 Dunn Lake Rd
- 10615 Dunn Lake Rd
- 10569 Dunn Lake Rd
- and all properties as outlined on the map provided by the TRND.
If you are in the described area, you must leave immediately. A person must not enter the Evacuation Order area for purposes of residing, occupying, or visiting the area.
What You Should Do:
- To receive Emergency Support Services (ESS), please call Clearwater ESS at 250-674-1253.
- Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, keys) only if they are immediately available. Take your grab-and-go bag if you have one prepared.
- Transport pets in kennels or on a leash.
- Close gate latches, but do not lock gates.
- Turn off electric power sources, and unplug electrical appliances other than fridges and freezers
- Do not turn off your natural gas. FortisBC will turn off natural gas service as needed.
- Gather your family and, if you have room, take a neighbour or someone needing transportation. Do not use more vehicles than you need to.
- If you require transportation assistance from the area, advise the person providing this emergency notice, or call the TNRD at: 250-377-7188.
- Arrange to stay with family or friends (if possible).
- For information on Evacuation Orders and locations of Reception Centres, please refer to: eoc.tnrd.ca, emergencyinfobc.ca, as well as TNRD social media profiles on X (Twitter) and Facebook.
- To ensure you are getting the most timely and accurate Evacuation Alert and Order information, please use Voyent Alert! and subscribe to the TNRD. To register, visit: tnrd.ca/voyent.
Emergency support services will only be provided if your primary residence is under Evacuation Order.
The Kamloops Fire Centre recorded 1,118 lightning strikes from July 18, 2024 to July 23, 2024 as a result of thunderstorm activity.
This lightning activity resulted in 59 new starts in the KamloopsFire Centre since July 18, 2024.
