Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Amandalina Letterio

Wildfire Risk

Anxiety heightened with new Sparks Lake evacuation order

Jul 13, 2021 | 5:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — Two weeks after it ignited, the Sparks Lake Wildfire is threatening more properties.

In the last 24 hours, 119 homes south of the fire have been evacuated and one of them belonged to 93-year-old Joan Best.

“I’m not totally devastated because I’m hoping it’s still there,” Best told CFJC News.

“Thanks to a neighbour, I have a sprinkler on the roof of my house. But I fear I’ll go back to losing everything I’ve got in the little greenhouse and in the garden. Even if the house survives, that’s gone.”

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Best lives in the Tranquille Valley and the worst case scenario is crossing her mind.

“One of the most stressful things a person can do is move. Even if it’s a happy move, it’s very stressful,” she continued.

“Although I have genetics on my side, all my aunties seemed to live at or beyond 100. I have a feeling I’m not going to get there. Not with this.”

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District issued a new evacuation order Tuesday morning (July 13) — affecting 110 properties in the Red Lake and Criss Creek areas — all the way to the north shore of Kamloops Lake.

The fire, which was discovered on June 28, is still classified as out of control by the BC Wildfire Service, and it has grown to more than 40-thousand hectares. Ten helicopters, 125 firefighters, support staff and dozens of pieces of heavy equipment have all been sent to battle the blaze.

If you have friends or family here, like Best, you’re one of the lucky ones. Commercial lodging is limited in Kamloops right now and all other evacuees are being sent to Salmon Arm.

“We did get a call late last night, from BC Wildfire from the incident command team on the ground down there and they called in with the recommendation for us to have a look at this and to consider acting on changing an active evacuation alert area into an order,” said Michelle Nordstrom, spokesperson for the Thompson Nicola Regional District.

“The fire is very large and is moving a lot. They informed us it’s moving across a boundary area in toward that eastern part and closer to Kamloops Lake.”

Best has lived in her home for 25 years and says her house keeps her active and healthy.

“Because you’ve got to do things, you’ve got to do things like shovel snow and split wood instead of just sitting around watching the telly or something,” Best explained.

When asked if her life would drastically change if she isn’t able to go back to her home, she replied, “Oh, I can’t even imagine… I can’t even imagine.”