UPDATE: An evacuation order has been issued in the Monte Lake area amid news of a wildfire burning near Martin Mountain.
The order affects a number of properties located inside Electoral Area “L” of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, said a Wednesday news release.
The area subject to the order was later expanded.
The wildfire is burning on Martin Mountain near the community of Monte Lake, about 50 kilometres southeast of Kamloops.
The B.C. Wildfire Service said the fire was spotted Wednesday afternoon and quickly grew to 30 hectares in size.
The fire has forced the closure of Highway 97 at Paxton Valley Road in Monte Lake, according to Drive BC.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District said a state of local emergency has been declared for Electoral Area L, “Grasslands.”
Here are some photos of the Monte Lake area fire:
- With files from Jesse Ferreras