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UPDATE: More personnel at Dry Lake fire, 43 properties remain under evacuation alert

Wildfire has been burning out of control north of Princeton for three days
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The cause of the fire has not been determined. Photo contributed August 2, 2020

UPDATE: Aug. 4, 12 p.m.

More personnel is on the scene of a wildfire in the Dry Lake area and 43 properties remain under evacuation alert.

As of Tuesday, Aug. 4, 51 firefighters actioning the blaze with the use of three water tenders, three helicopters and other heavy equipment. The fire currently remains at an estimated 22 hectares.

“Temperatures were cool on the fire last night and this morning, which will help crews in their suppression efforts today. Heavy equipment made good progress in their machine guard, and crews continue to work on hand guard in steep sections,” the BC Wildfire Service stated on the fire of note page.

“Helicopters are working to apply water to the hottest areas of the fire to allow ground crews to continue to build control lines safely. Once it is safe to do so, ground personnel will work their way into the fire to expand their water delivery system while also wrapping the fire in hose lay.”

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ORIGINAL STORY:

Forty-three properties in the Dry Lake area, north of Princeton, have been placed under evacuation alert by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, due to the threat of wildfire.

All properties are located along Highway 5A in Electoral Areas “H” between McCaffrey Lake, MacKenzie Lake, Dry Lake, Round Lake and Allison Lake Provincial Park.

The alert was issued at 6:20 p.m. Monday, August 3.

Residents and property owners are strongly advised to take proactive measures to prepare for an evacuation order.

A wildfire at Dry Lake, approximately 24 km northeast of Princeton, is burning out of control.

The fire is estimated at 22 hectares.

Related: Wildfire burning out of control at Dry Lake near Princeton

On Monday there were 29 personnel actioning the blaze, including heavy equipment operators. Three helicopters were also bucketing water from nearby lakes.

According to Gagan Lidhran, communications officer for B.C. Wildfire, the fire was reported late in the afternoon, Sunday, August 2.

The cause has not been determined.

Lidhran said hot, dry conditions in the area are a factor in the service’s ability to contain the blaze, she said.

All residents under alert are being directed to locate all family members, and designate a meeting place outside of the evacuation area, should an evacuation order be issued while separated.

Identification, medications, cell phones and charges, valuable papers and immediate care needs for dependents should be collected and ready to move.

Other instructions include filling gas tanks of personal vehicles, and arranging accommodation for all family members, if possible.

Hobby farmers concerned about for their animals should contact the Animal Emergency Response Team (ALERT) at (250) 809-7152 or email info@alertcanada.org.

For more information, please visit http://emergency.rdos.bc.ca or call 250-490-4225.

To report a typo, email:
publisher@similkameenspotlight.com
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andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com

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