Spallumcheen wildfire now 3.2 hectares, still listed as out of control

Jul 8, 2023 | 1:30 PM Pete McIntyre

UPDATE 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 8, 2023

The Horseshoe Lake wildfire in Spallumcheen is estimated at 3.22 hectares and is still classified as out of control by the BC Wildfire Service.

“The fire remains in a status of out of control and the terrain continues to be a challenge for fire crews. Crews are taking an aggressive approach and dealing with hot spots as they occur,” a news release from the township stated.

An evacuation alert covering 34 properties remains in effect.

The following is the latest update provided by the Township of Spallumcheen:

The Township of Spallumcheen EOC remains active. The Evacuation Alerts in place last evening and this morning for the area around Round Lake Road remain in effect.

If you are located on one of the following properties please prepare to leave the area with minimal notice:

1335 ROUND LAKE RD
1325 ROUND LAKE RD
4880 GRANDVIEW FLATS RD
4866 GRANDVIEW FLATS RD
4894 GRANDVIEW FLATS RD
4848 GRANDVIEW FLATS RD
1233 ROUND LAKE RD
1241 ROUND LAKE RD
1249 ROUND LAKE RD
1257 ROUND LAKE RD
4950 GRANDVIEW FLATS RD
1225 ROUND LAKE RD
1315 ROUND LAKE RD
1305 ROUND LAKE RD
1289 ROUND LAKE RD
1281 ROUND LAKE RD
1273 ROUND LAKE RD
1265 ROUND LAKE RD
1262 ROUND LAKE RD
1270 ROUND LAKE RD
1278 ROUND LAKE RD
1290 ROUND LAKE RD
1310 ROUND LAKE RD
1320 ROUND LAKE RD
1330 ROUND LAKE RD
1340 ROUND LAKE RD
9728 HIGHWAY 97A
9716 HIGHWAY 97A
9722 HIGHWAY 97A
4990 GRANDVIEW FLATS RD
1238 ROUND LAKE RD
1246 ROUND LAKE RD
1258 ROUND LAKE RD
9710 HIGHWAY 97A

Local fire crews and BC Wildfire personnel are onsite.

The trails on Mount Rose Swanson remain closed. Please avoid these back country areas.

The next communication will be provided at 4 pm on Saturday July 8 or as new information becomes available.

Meantime, the Star Creek fire east of Mabel Lake Provincial Park is listed at 10 hectares and classified as out of control.

UPDATE: 8 p.m. July 7, 2023
Evacuation order rescinded for Spallumcheen fire

The wildfire in Spallumcheen continued to grow Friday evening.

The B.C. Wildfire Service stated the fire was an estimated 3.22 hectares as of 7:53 p.m.

The fire was still classified as Out of Control and it was believed to have started from a lightning strike.

UPDATE: 7 p.m.

An evacuation order covering 18 properties in Spallumcheen due to a wildfire has been lifted.

“The Township of Spallumcheen has downgraded to a Level #1 Emergency Operation Centre at 18:30 hours on July, 7. The Evacuation Order has been rescinded at 18:30 hrs for the east side of Round Lake Road. The entire area (both east and west side) of Round Lake Road remains on alert,” a news release from the township stated

As a precaution, the township has closed the entrance to trails on Mount Rose Swanson and people are asked to avoid those back country areas.

“Ground and ariel crews are on scene and continue to work the fire aggressively,” the municipality advised. “Crews will remain on site throughout the night.”

As of 7:45 p.m. Friday, the BC Wildfire Service listed the fire size at 1.3 hectares and classified it as out of control.

Anyone who has been evacuated can register for Emergency Social Service (ESS) supports by calling 1-888-800-6493 or you can come to the ESS centre located at the Township Municipal Hall 4144 Spallumcheen Way.

UPDATE 4:40 p.m. July 7:
More resources deployed as Spallumcheen fire grows

The fire west of Otter Lake in Spallumcheen has grown.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says the fire is now estimated at 1.3 hectares in size.

The BCWS has supplied more resources to assist with the suppression efforts.

Along with the eight BCWS member crew working on the ground alongside local firefighters, air tankers and three helicopters are assisting from above.

The fire remains classified as Out of Control and is suspected of being caused by a lightning strike.

Evacuation Orders and Alerts remain in place for properties near the blaze. They are listed below.

A Level 2 Emergency Operations Centre is open at the Township of Spallumcheen Municipal Hall at 4144 Spallumcheen Way for people who have been forced to leave their homes.

The Township has also closed the entrance to the trails on Mount Rose Swanson and urges people to stay out of the backcountry areas.

Otter Lake Fire (Vernon Matters photo)

UPDATE 3:20 p.m. July 7:

Local and provincial firefighters are battling a blaze west of Otter Lake in Spallumcheen.

A spokesperson for the B.C. Wildfire Service told Vernon Matters a crew of eight BCWS members are assisting the Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fire Department at the scene.

Air tankers and a helicopter are also assisting in the suppression efforts, with retardant being dropped on the site.

In response to the blaze the Township of Spallumcheen has issued evacuation orders and alerts for 34 properties.

Evacuation Order:

1335 Round Lake Rd.
1325 Round Lake Rd.
1233 Round Lake Rd.
1241 Round Lake Rd.
1249 Round Lake Rd.
1257 Round Lake Rd.
1225 Round Lake Rd.
1315 Round Lake Rd.
1305 Round Lake Rd.
1289 Round Lake Rd.
1281 Round Lake Rd.
1273 Round Lake Rd.
1265 Round Lake Rd.
4880 Grandview Flats Rd.
3866 Grandview Flats Rd.
4894 Grandview Flats Rd.
4848 Grandview Flats Rd.
4950 Grandview Flats Rd.

Evacuation Alert:

1262 Round Lake Rd.
1270 Round Lake Rd.
1290 Round Lake Rd.
1310 Round Lake Rd.
1320 Round Lake Rd.
1330 Round Lake Rd.
1340 Round Lake Rd.
1238 Round Lake Rd.
1246 Round Lake Rd.
1258 Round Lake Rd.
4990 Grandview Flats Rd
9728 Highway 97A
9716 Highway 97A
9722 Highway 97A
9710 Highway 97A

The Township of Spallumcheen activated a Level 1 Emergency Operation Centre at the Township Hall to support the evacuees.

The size of the fire was confirmed at 0.8 hectares and is still classified as Out of Control at this time.

It’s suspected the fire was caused by a lightning strike.

—

UPDATE 2:45 p.m. July 7:

The B.C. Wildfire Service has updated the location of the fire that sparked Friday afternoon.

The BCWS now states the fire is located in the Horseshoe Lake area off Grandview Flats Rd. in Spallumcheen.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says the fire is located in the Horseshoe Lake area (image courtesy of the BCWS)

The size and cause of the fire remains unknown.

Around 2:50 p.m. Friday, BX Fire crews were dispatching a bush truck to assist the Armstrong/Spallumcheen fire department at the scene.

— Original Story —

The B.C. Wildfire Service is reporting a fire close to the Okanagan Indian Band reserve.

The BCWS stated the fire was reported in the Grandview Flats area near Bradley Creek at 2:05 p.m. Friday, July 7.

As of 2:20 p.m. operations crews had not arrived at the scene and the size and cause of the fire were not known.

The fire was classified as Out of Control as of time of publication.