UPDATE: White Rock Lake wildfire breaches highway near Monte Lake, heading in direction of Falkland

Aug 5, 2021 | 4:10 PM Pete McIntyre

UPDATE: 7:45 p.m.

The White Rock Lake wildfire is showing no signs of slowing down.

The more than 32,000 hectare blaze northwest of Vernon, has crossed over Highway 97 just south of Monte Lake and continues to push northeast towards the Falkland area.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District says the winds have come up and fire behaviour has become increasingly aggressive.

“The situation is extremely dangerous and increasingly volatile,” said the local government in an update issued Thursday evening.

The entire community of Falkland, with about 850 residents, are among the hundreds of properties on evacuation order or alert in four regional districts and the Okanagan Indian Band.

 

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Part of highway closed between Vernon and Kamloops
Aug 5, 2021 | 4:10 PM

Increased fire activity on the White Rock Lake wildfire has led to Highway 97 being closed between Monte Creek and Salmon River Road, a 61-kilometre stretch.

“Due to wildfire activity and risk to the public, only emergency personnel will be permitted access,” Constable Chris Terleski with Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, said.

Drive BC says there is no estimated time of reopening.

Motorists can detour using highways 97A, 97B and Highway 1.

You can get updates on Drive BC.

The size of the fire, northwest of Vernon, is still estimated at 32,500 hectares.

“Sustained 25 km/hr southwesterly winds, gusting upwards of 40 km/hr, are forecast through the afternoon today, August 5. Wind gusts on-site have increased fire activity and challenged suppression efforts along the northeast and east flanks,” said an update from the BC Wildfire Service.

“Air tankers are on-site working west of Westwold along the northeast flank. Extreme burning conditions are expected through to the weekend.

Mainly sunny skies, temperature highs of 29 degrees, low relative humidity and elevated winds continue to give way to dry fuels and active fire behaviour. (BC Wildfire Service)

The fire has led to evacuation orders and alerts for residents in four regional districts and the Okanagan Indian Band.

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