The Hullcar Mountain wildfire in the North Okanagan has grown to an estimated 670 hectares.
BC Wildfire Services updated the fire just after 3 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Aug. 7. It was previously listed at 380 hectares. It is now a Wildfire of Note.
Because of the fire's growth, an evacuation order was put in effect for Hullcar, Deep Creek and Frederick Road and Todd Creek Place for these properties:
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District and Splatsin put out an evacuation order for the following properties:
- East side of Salmon River Road from 2325 to 2621;
- West side of Deep Creek Road from 2160 to 2310:
- 4860 and 4910 Hullcar Rd:
- 5214 Clcahl Rd.
Those on an evacuation order must leave the area immediately and go to the reception centres at either the Columbia Shuswap Regional District office, 555 Harbourfront Drive NE, Salmon Arm, or Spallumcheen Reception Centre at the Armstrong Spallumcheen fairgrounds at 3315 Pleasant Valley Rd. The Spallumcheen reception centre is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
People on evacuation order can register for Emergency Support Services online at https://ess.gov.bc.ca.
An evacuation alert is in place for Parkinson, Wyatt, Knobb Hill, Sharp and Salmon River roads as well as remaining Hullcar properties. Those on alert should be ready to leave on a moment's notice.
Salmon River Road is closed in both directions between Yankee Flats Road North and Yankee Flats Road South near Armstrong, due to the fire, according to DriveBC. The road is open to local traffic only. A detour is available via Yankee Flats Road.
Two initial crews on scene were working on structure protection on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. In total, there are six initial crews, three parattack crews, one rappel crew, and one wildfire officer on scene. There are also five helicopters and heavy equipment battling the blaze.
The Hullcar Mountain blaze was discovered on Sunday, Aug. 4 and was caused by lightning. It is currently out on control and one of eight wildfires of note in the province currently.
