Harrison Lake wildfire forces evacuation alerts for some properties

Evacuation alerts have been issued along parts of Harrison Lake due to the Bear Creek Wildfire, which has grown to 70 hectares Thursday morning.

Residents of the North Cascade Bay area, on the east side of the lake, have been told they need to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

The BC Wildfire Service says campers near Harrison Lake were asked to leave the area Wednesday.

The exact number of people impacted by the evacuation is unclear.

The wider public is also being asked to stay out of the Harrison Lake area.

The BC Wildfire Service says road closures have been implemented in advance of the long weekend to keep people out of the area for responder and public safety.

“Specific to Harrison Lake, we do ask the public to avoid the area north of the Cascade Peninsula and South of Silver River,” Fire Information Officer Julia Caranci told 1130 NewsRadio Wednesday.

She says firefighting aircraft are picking up water from nearby lakes, which requires plenty of room to maneuver.

“We urge the public to use common sense and keep away from any areas where air tankers and helicopters are operating,” Caranci warned.

“The public in the area could compromise responder safety and our response efforts on that fire.”

The road closure is in effect immediately until further notice, Caranci says.

Discovered on Tuesday, the fire is now a “wildfire of note,” burning out of control, and is anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter or control line.

“We bucketed on the fire into the overnight period using Night Vision Imaging System technology,” Caranci explained Wednesday.

“Today, two 22-person unit crews are assigned to this incident, being supported by helicopters and a skimmer group.”

Additional resources will be deployed Thursday, she said.

—With files from Srushti Gangdev