Image Credit: S. Duncan / White Rock Lake wildfire

By Dave Barry

wildfires

BC Wildfire Service confirms massive growth in White Rock Lake wildfire southeast of Kamloops

Aug 6, 2021 | 10:29 AM

KAMLOOPS – The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) reports the White Rock Lake wildfire has ballooned in size to 45,000 hectares. That’s a massive jump from the approximate size estimate of 32,500 hectares Thursday (Aug. 5) morning.

In the process of it’s aggressive growth, it jumped Highway 97 just south of Monte Lake and burned through part of the community. The Regional District of Thompson-Nicola hasn’t been able to complete a full assessment of the damage because of heavy smoke and other safety concerns.

The BCWS says yesterday’s fire growth was mainly along the northeastern and eastern flanks. There was also minimal growth along the southeast flank. The most northern flank is approximately 13 kilometres southeast of Pritchard as of Friday (Aug. 6) morning. The most southeastern fire perimeter is approximately five kilometres west of Westside Road.

Overnight, the BCWS says temperatures in the fire area dropped into the mid-teens. Winds continued to blow out of the west at 10 to 20 km/hr with gusts of 30 km/hr. Today the forecast is calling for westerly winds of 15 to 25 km/hr and gusts of 40 km/hr. Temperatures around the fire are expected to be approaching 30 celsius, several degrees cooler than Thursday.

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Kamloops isn't asking to be treated differently on cancer care. We're asking to be treated the same

8h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: April 17, 2025

12h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Not everyone is wrapped up in politics

17h ago

The BCWS is once again reminding residents who are under an Evacuation Order, to evacuate immediately. It says its ability to fight the fire yesterday was hampered by the reluctance of some to evacuate.