UPDATE: The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has rescinded the evacuation alert for 13 properties located between km 15 and km 22 of the In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road due to the Lizzie Creek wildfire, near Pemberton.
The fire is now 75 per cent contained.
Previous story from July 18:
13 properties have been put on evacuation alert because of the Lizzie Creek wildfire currently burning 28 kilometres south east of Pemberton.
The properties are located between km 15 and km 22 of the In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road. Residents are asked to be ready to leave the area on short notice if required. No roads are closed at this time.
The Lizzie Creek wildfire was estimated to be about 40 hectares in size, but that has been reduced to 30 after crews were able to properly map the blaze. It is 20 per cent contained at this time and is producing smoke and some open flame on a slope above a portion of the In-SHUCK-ch Forest Service Road. Due to the fire being on a 60-degree slope, it’s making it tough for crews to fight.
Incident commander Alan Berry said the fire is small at this time, but it has potential to get bigger.
The Wildfire Management Branch says the fire started on Monday and was caused by lightning. It is on a steep slope (up to 60 degrees), which is producing challenges to the firefighters. The fire received some precipitation overnight, was quiet in the morning, and increased in the afternoon due to daytime heating. It is currently burning at Rank 1 and 2, which is some open on the ground level.
46 firefighters are on the ground, with six helicopters in the air.
“It’s not a really aggressive fire, but it is in incredibly steep ground,” said Donna MacPherson with the BC Fire Service.
“There’s a fair amount of smoke in the area so visibility is a problem,” she added.
Residents are urged to prepare now for possible evacuation by organizing a family emergency kit with necessary medications, personal toiletries, eyeglasses, a change of clothing, identification, insurance papers and other important documents, keepsakes and emergency items. For more information on how to prepare for evacuation, visit www.embc.gov.bc.ca/em/hazard_preparedness/wildfire_information.html.
People with concerns about the evacuation alert are asked to contact Ryan Wainwright, SLRD Emergency Program Manager, at (604) 698-6442 or by email at rwainwright@slrd.bc.ca.
The SLRD will continue to provide information updates as the situation changes, which will be posted on the SLRD website: www.slrd.bc.ca. The SLRD Emergency Program is also on twitter: @SLRD_Emergency.
Fire danger rating: B.C. Wildfire map
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