Wildfires near Kamloops put access between multiple communties at risk

The Lower East Adams Lake wildfire in B.C.'s Shuswap region is shown in a handout photo. The British Columbia Wildfire Service says hot and dry weather is contributing to "extreme fire behaviour" in the southern Interior as a ridge of high-pressure settled over the province this week, sending temperatures soaring and further drying fuel in the forests. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-BC Wildfire Service

Posted August 18, 2023 11:19 pm.

The Adams Complex wildfires continue to wreak havoc on an area northeast of Kamloops, B.C. — now putting transport between multiple lakeside communities at risk.

Highway 1 is closed between Sorrento and Chase — just south and across a body of water from the out-of-control wildfires. In response, the Upper Arrow Lake Ferry will be running non-stop to ensure locals and tourists have a detour to access western BC. Drivers heading west from the Alberta-BC border on the TransCanada can head south from Revelstoke to access the ferry, which will take them into the Kootenays. Travellers can also take Highway 97 into Vernon.

A large section north of Shuswap Lake is under evacuation alerts and orders. Orders cover Lee Creek, Magna Bay, and Celista.

Scotch Creek’s bridge typically takes drivers along the Squilax – Anglemont Road, north of the lake, through Lee Creek, and then onto Highway 1, but the bridge is now closed.

The Talana Bay bridge is also closed. Emergency Info BC says anyone still in Scotch Creek must evacuate via boat. Anyone still in Celista can take the road east to Seymour Arm.

An #Evacuation Order has been issued by @ColShuRegDist & Skwlāx te SecwepemcúÍecw for Scotch Creek, Lee Creek, Celista, Magna Bay & Little River area between Squilax Bridge & Sorrento due to #BCWildfire.

See map of affected area below. More info: https://t.co/lNj7gjahn0 https://t.co/2lqRY0j4Pl pic.twitter.com/QaCHEyHl0f

— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) August 19, 2023

A Twitter account that monitors fire activity in and around the Okanagan says the fires have been destroying everything in their path.

“This (Scotch Creek) bridge needs to be saved as it’s the only way through the community,” reads a tweet from Okanagan Fire Scanner.

The Lower East Adams Lake fire is the largest blaze in the Adams Complex wildfires, estimated at 10,004 hectares in size and believed to have been caused by lightning back on July 12.

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