Nearby neighbourhoods keep their eye on Embleton Mountain fire

“We did have personnel stay on site overnight. the update that we had so far this morning, the personnel did not observe much growth, so it is right now currently estimated at 290 hectares,” explained Hannah Swift, fire information officer at the B.C. Wildfire Service.

The Embleton Mountain fire is also in close proximity to Sun Peaks, but the mayor says the town should not worry.

“Fire has calmed down quite a bit; the helicoptering work they did yesterday is certainly paying good dividends,” said Al Raine, Sun Peaks mayor.

The concern with the Embleton Mountain fire is that it could move toward the main road to Sun Peaks.

Heffley-Louis Creek Road is currently closed to the public so CFJC was not able to speak to residents, but people in Heffley Creek are feeling optimistic.

Residents expressed their confidence in the firefighters and crews working on the fire.

“They’ve done a very good job especially with the helicopters and having the water close by here has helped a lot,” said one Heffley Creek resident.

If the fire flares up and cuts off the Heffley Creek access road to Sun Peaks, the town has another option.

“We do have an emergency evacuation route, to the east, via the McGillivray Lake forestry road. It’s a gravel logging road, dusty and all, but if the flames were to start licking at peoples’ backsides, I’m sure they would be happy to go down the forestry road to escape the fire,” Raine said.

The fire is classified as out of control and crews are doing everything they can to put it out.

“We have that same 20-person crew out today as well as structural protection specialists, doing some triaging in the community and looking at how they are going to protect structures should the fire move in that direction and what resources they might need in order to do so,” Swift added.

by Amandalina Letterio

Nearby neighbourhoods keep their eye on Embleton Mountain fire

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