Evacuation Alert issued for July Mountain wildfire; Expanded for Brenda Creek blaze

The Thompson Nicola Regional District has issued an Evacuation Alert south of Merritt in Electoral Area “N” – Beautiful Nicola Valley-South.

The area is under threat from the July Mountain wildfire. It has grown to 185 hectares since being discovered Tuesday (July 13).

As of Friday morning, the blaze is still listed as ‘Out of Control.’

The 25 properties affected are:

• 5644 to 6705 Juliet Dr.;
• other properties as identified on the map below.

credit – TNRD

The Brenda Creek Wildfire remains at 400 hectares this morning, however the TNRD has issued an evacuation alert for the area to go along with the alert already issued by the Okanagan Similkameen regional district.

The properties under evacuation alert are:

• 12305 Bear Creek Road FSR;
• 1306 Hatheume Lake Rd;
• 145 Pennask Lake Rd; and
• any other properties within the boundary noted on the map below

credit – TNRD

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has issued an Evacuation Order for 43 properties in Electoral Area “H” near the fire.

The Brenda Creek fire is listed as a ‘Wildfire of Note’ by the BC Wildfire Service, yesterday six firefighters and 3 helicopters were on scene. Heavy equipment is said to be on the way to the fire.

Closer to Merritt, a fire is being reported at Bleuy Lake along the Connector. The blaze was identified yesterday and has grown to 15 hectares.

Across BC there are currently 305 active wildfires burning, 108 of which are within the Kamloops Fire Centre.

(With files from Dave Berry/CFJC)