The July Mountain wildfire, burning approximately 45 kilometres southwest of Merritt, jumped the Coquihalla Highway Friday evening.
At this time the highway remains open but drivers are being warned to be careful due to heavy smoke in the area.
The July Mountain wildfire is estimated to be 5,669 hectares in size.
The BC Wildfire Service said crews have been able to tie in a cut block on the east flank of the fire into the northeast corner to help protect the fire from moving towards Murray Lake. Crews will continue to work on the northeast corner of the fire while four helicopters support the ground crews.
Get breaking National news
As a result of this expansion, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District issued an evacuation order for 98 properties in Electoral Area “N” (Beautiful Nicola Valley-South).
Everyone living at these addresses is asked to leave immediately.
There are also 142 properties under evacuation alert due to this blaze.
- B.C., First Nations partner to build ‘attainable’ below-market homes in Vancouver
- B.C. First Nations declare state of emergency due to toxic drug deaths in communities
- Vancouver police want to speak to possible witnesses in stabbing death near Chinatown
- Canucks All-Star goalie Thatcher Demko battling rare muscle injury
Comments