Spences Bridge ordered to evacuate; 169 properties affected
Posted July 22, 2021 6:11 pm.
Last Updated July 22, 2021 6:32 pm.
SPENCES BRIDGE (NEWS 1130) — A new evacuation order has been issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, for residents in the Spences Bridge area of Electoral Area “I” (Blue Sky Country).
Issued Thursday, the district says “because of the potential danger to life and safety” 169 properties have been ordered to evacuate.
In the issuing of the notice, the district says there is a critical shortage of commercial accommodations in Kamloops.
The TNRD EOC has issued an Evacuation Order in the Spences Bridge area in Electoral Area "I" (Blue Sky Country) for 169 properties. #BCWildfire https://t.co/hNyjKScIy2
— TNRD (@TNRD) July 22, 2021
“If your primary residence has been evacuated, we recommend that you arrange to stay with friends or family,” it reads.
People evacuating who need emergency support are being encouraged to report to Chilliwack Secondary School at 46363 Yale Rd, Chilliwack.
The properties affected by the order are:
• 3577 to 3640 Big Horn Curl;
• 4884 Bridge Rd;
• 4850 to 4857 Chucker Cres;
• 3416 to 3545 Colvin Rd;
• 3701 to 3719 Deer Lane;
• 3557 to 10320 Merritt-Spences Bridge Hwy 8;
• 3637 North Frontage Rd;
• 3681 to 3769 North Frontage Rd;
• 3701 to 3814 Riverview Ave;
• 4800 School St;
• 3748 to 3784 South Frontage Rd;
• 7893 Speym Rd;
• 3607 to 3697 Station St;
• 4809 to 4835 Steelhead Pl;
• 3740 to 3787 Thompson View;
• 2869 to 4480 Trans-Canada Hwy;
The Cook’s Ferry Indian Band has also issued an evacuation order for residents in reserves: IR 1, 3, 4, 4b, 4c, 7, 16, 17, 19.
Highway 1 between Hope and Lytton has reopened Thursday, after being closed since the devastating wildfire tore through Lytton last month.
Drive BC says to drive carefully through the area, and the highway between Lytton and Spences Bridge is closed.
#EvacuationOrder issued by Cook's Ferry Indian Band due to the #Lytton Creek #BCwildfire for areas within the following reserves: IR 1 3, 4, 4b, 4c, 7, 16, 17, 19.
More info below. Note the updated ESS address information in the second image. pic.twitter.com/t0X5WfJp8f
— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) July 22, 2021
Meanwhile, B.C.’s emergency co-ordination agency says it’s working to expand its use of a public alert system for large-scale and potentially fatal disasters, as hundreds more residents have been forced from their homes because of wildfires.
The Canada-wide system, Alert Ready, allows government officials to issue public safety alerts through major television and radio broadcasters, as well as compatible wireless devices.
Pader Brach, executive director with Emergency Management BC, says expanding its use in the province is a priority, although he could not say if it would be in place for this wildfire season.
The system is already in use for tsunami threats and amber alerts, however it was not used during the “heat dome” in June in which the BC Coroners Service has said the typical death rate tripled.
Brach says Ready Alert would compliment existing systems for issuing evacuation orders, alerts and other emergency information, not replace them.
About 4,300 properties were under evacuation orders Thursday due to wildfires scorching B.C.’s south, which is also challenged with drought conditions and water shortages.
– With files from The Canadian Press
