Evacuation Order for Logan Lake, Cherry Creek on alert

LOGAN LAKE – The community of Logan Lake is being ordered to evacuate as the Tremont Creek wildfire moves towards the community.

Mayor Robin Smith made the declaration at 3:30 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 12).

The order states RCMP will enforce the evacuation of the community.

Residents are being asked to register with Emergency Support Services online. The City of Merritt had indicated it was ready to receive evacuees but last night, Director of Corporate Services Greg Lewis told Q101’s Michael Reeve that because of the number of evacuees already taken in from other fires, Merritt wasn’t in a position for Logan Lake evacuees to go to Merritt.

Mayor Smith has also declared a Local State of Emergency for the community. The State of Emergency gives authorities the right to take every action necessary to fight the fire and protect people and the community.

Residents are being advised to evacuate along Highway 97C to Merritt. A secondary evacuation escape route is along Highway 97C to Ashcroft. However, residents are being warned to avoid Highway 97D on the Meadow Creek Road to Kamloops.

The Highland Valley Copper mine will continue to operate. The order does not include the operation. In a statement, it says it will utilize alternate transportation routes to the site.

It says it is supporting employees that live within the area of the evacuation order and will provide leave as required.

The Tremont Creek wildfire has been burning aggressively over the last day and expanding to the north and to the south towards the Logan Lake area..

And last night, the TNRD put the area around Cherry Creek on evacuation alert because of the threat from the Tremont fire.

This morning, the Lower Nicola Indian Band issued an evacuation order for the Pipseul Reserve No. 3.