Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

WHITE ROCK LAKE FIRE

Concerns growing as gusting winds fuel activity of White Rock Lake wildfire

Aug 5, 2021 | 5:06 PM

WESTWOLD — With wind gusts threatening to increase activity of the White Rock Lake wildfire, the BC Wildfire Service recommended expansions of evacuation alerts and orders in the Monte Lake, Westwold, and Falkland areas this week.

“We’ve watched that fire from day one, we went and had a look when it was just fairly small, and the thing has just been progressing like crazy.” area resident Dan Newcomb told CFJC Today. “But it’s the wind, when the wind picks up, it just blows that fire like crazy.”

It’s been a watching and waiting game for Newcomb, whose property lies within an evacuation alert zone near the Monte Lake area. He’s made preparations to leave if an order expands.

“There’s just never enough time. I feel sorry for people that had five minutes notice, like ‘okay you’ve got to go’.” He adds, “But for us, we’ve been working at it for a while, but yeah we’re ready to go at any moment.”

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As a result, residents of surrounding rural properties like Sydney Fox have had to make sure they have a place to evacuate their livestock to. For those who farm and raise animals, preparing for an evacuation order isn’t as simple as packing one go-bag.

“We had the panic rush of trying to find places for all of our animals and then packing certain stuff right away.”

The changing wildfire conditions this afternoon also resulted in Highway 97 being closed between Salmon River Road and Monte Creek. Westside Road is also closed in both directions between Pinecrest Road and Six Mile Creek Road.

When asked how concerned she was for their property, Fox says she hopes their position in the valley will offer protection.

“We have a huge water gun for irrigation set up and we have sprinklers all around our barns and everything ready to go anyway just in case.”

With the potential for more fire growth over the weekend, Fox and area residents say they plan to keep a close eye on what happens in the coming days.

“Hopefully everyone leaves the firefighters to themselves so they can actually get the job done.” stresses Fox. “(Hopefully) no one is stupid and stays in the lakes, and no one tries to go up the roads to see the fire because you’re just making the problem last longer.”