UPDATE: Spallumcheen wildfire being held, evacuation alert still in effect

Update: 5 p.m.

The Horseshoe Lake wildfire in Spallumcheen is now classified as being held, meaning it is not likely to spread beyond its current boundaries under current conditions.

“Due to the tremendous efforts of the fire crews onsite today the status of the fire has changed and is now considered being held,” the Township of Spallumcheen said in an update Saturday afternoon.

The evacuation alerts will remain in place throughout the night due to the possibility of high winds and further thunderstorms.

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Original:

There was no overnight growth for the Horseshoe Lake wildfire in Spallumcheen, which is an estimated 3.2 hectares in size.

The Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fire Department monitored the blaze throughout the evening. BC Wildfire remained on site until around 9 p.m. Friday and have returned Saturday morning to help the local crews deal with the challenging terrain in the area.

“Crews continue to work the fire area aggressively and deal with hot spots as they occur,” the Township of Spallumcheen said in an update at 10 a.m. Saturday.

BC Wildfire information officer Taylor Shantz said the fire is “largely contained at this point,” though its official status is still out of control, and will remain as such until there is a full containment line around the fire.

“Depending how the day goes that could change.”

It is believed the fire was caused by a lightning strike.

The local fire department, six BC Wildfire personnel, a water tender and a helicopter are working on the fire today.

An evacuation alert is in effect for 34 properties near the fire. On Friday the township had some of those properties on an evacuation order, but downgraded the order to an alert at 7 p.m. The township also downgraded its Emergency Operation Centre from level two to level one.

People living at the following properties should be prepared to leave with minimal notice:

• 1262, 1270, 1278, 1290, 1310, 1320, 1340, 1238, 1246, 1258, 1335, 1325, 1233, 1241, 1249, 1257, 1225, 1315, 1305, 1290, 1281, 1273 and 1265 Round Lake Road.

• 4880, 4866, 4894, 4848, 4950 and 4990 Grandview Flats Road.

• 9728, 9716, 9722 and 9710 Highway 97A

The trails on Mount Rose Swanson remain closed. People are asked to avoid these back country areas.

The Township website has information about how you can prepare your farm or home for a wildfire under its Emergency Info page.

Communications will continue to be provided on the township’s website at spallumcheentwp.bc.ca under News and Events.