UPDATE 9:45 p.m The City of Kamloops says the Watching Creek Fire is not a threat to the city at this time. The city made the statement on its social media accounts on Monday evening, the fire northwest of the city has increased in intensity during the day. The fire, which was detected on Friday, has reached an area of 80 hectares due to the intense heat and strong winds. “Kamloops Fire Rescue is in regular contact with BC Wildfire regarding the Watching Creek Fire,” the statement said. “At this point, the fire is NOT a threat to Kamloops. “BC Wildfire is monitoring the fire and will notify the city if it becomes a threat. We will post updates as the situation changes.”
Kamloops Fire Rescue is in regular contact with BC Wildfire regarding the Watching Creek Fire. At this point, the fire is NOT a threat to Kamloops. BC Wildfire is monitoring the fire and will notify the city if it becomes a threat. We will post updates if the situation changes. pic.twitter.com/FowDfVFteB — City of Kamloops (@cityofkamloops) August 2, 2022 UPDATE 7:35 p.m Some properties in the area of the Watching Creek Wildfire have been placed under evacuation alert. The alert from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District comes as the fire showed increased activity Monday afternoon due to high temperatures and strong winds. It has grown in size to about 80 hectares. The evacuation warning states that the fire in Constituency J poses a threat to life and property in the following areas:
Northwest edge of the Lac Du Bois Grasslands Conservation Area East, including Pass Lake, McQueen Lake and Isobel Lake
A news release states that a number of properties are located in the area, including a municipal address, the McQueen Lake Environmental Education Centre.
The fire was first detected last Friday. The increased activity forced the BC Wildfire Service to evacuate ground crews from the fire area. Photo: TNRD UPDATE 5:10 p.m BC Wildfire says ground crews working on the Watching Creek Wildfire northwest of Kamloops have been evacuated from the area. The move came Monday afternoon with high winds and high temperatures causing an increase in fire behavior. Smoke from the fire, first spotted on Friday, is now visible from across Kamloops and the surrounding area.
Ground crews and air resources have been battling the fire since its discovery on July 29. This afternoon, due to increasing fire behavior due to winds and high temperatures, ground crews were evacuated from the fire area. — BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 1, 2022 ORIGINAL 4:15 p.m A large amount of smoke suddenly visible over the hills northwest of Kamloops is from a fire that started three days ago. According to the BC Wildfire Service, the smoke is coming from the Watching Creek Wildfire that was first reported last Friday. Fire Information Officer Aydan Corey says hot and dry conditions combined with strong winds this afternoon combined to fuel the fire. BCWS expects to have more information on the fire later this afternoon. Photo: Joe N The Watching Creek Fire on Monday
