UPDATE: 7 a.m. Tuesday July 24: Highway 1 has partially reopened after being shut down by a new wildfire north of Spences Bridge.
It is now open to single-lane alternating traffic with a pilot car escort.
UPDATED 10:30 p.m. Monday:
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has rescinded an evacuation order for three addresses along the Trans Canada Highway in Spences Bridge following a wildfire that broke out around 4 p.m. Monday.
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The properties involved in the original order include 3915, 3925, 3941 Trans Canada Hwy.
Highway 1 was shut down on the north end of Spences Bridge at 4 p.m. due to the blaze burning up from the train tracks.
Most of Spences Bridge has been put on evacuation alert due to the growing wildfire, which the B.C. Wildfire Service estimates is 80 hectares in size.
A gathering centre for evacuees had been set up at the Archie Clements Community Hall on the Merritt-Spences Bridge Highway.
Locals report the fire started near the train tracks next to the Thompson River below the town.
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