Image Credit: BCWS

By Michael Reeve

WILDFIRE SEASON 2023

Ross Moore Lake fire near Kamloops increases to 4,100 hectares

Aug 1, 2023 | 12:27 PM

KAMLOOPS — The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) is reporting that the Ross Moore Lake wildfire, burning south of Kamloops, has increased to 4,157 hectares. The fire is estimated to be 10 kilometres from Kamloops.

The updated size comes despite BCWS reporting, “There was no significant growth yesterday, July 31.”

“The forecast winds, increased temperatures and low relative humidities will continue to cause elevated fire behaviour in the coming days. The activity is expected to continue to be primarily along the west and south flanks. A ridge of high pressure will cause winds to subside Thursday and Friday, but temperatures will continue to climb and daytime humidities will be very low with poor overnight recoveries,” reads the report posted by BCWS.

The service is advising that smoke columns will be visible from Kamloops and the surrounding community in the late afternoon for several days.

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Crews are working on multiple flanks of the fire on Tuesday.

East:

• Today, crews were doing direct attack, working from the machine guard, from Long Lake/McConnell Road junction north to 1-2 Road and north from 1-2 Road.
• Crews are also working to hold the line at the pipeline, using direct suppression and hand ignitions.

South:

• Crews continue to do direct attack along the southern flank and are patrolling areas of low activity.
• Preparations for small-scale hand ignitions are ongoing and will occur when winds and weather conditions are favourable.
• A guard is beginning to be constructed along the entire west flank, from the south end of the fire to the north end.

Northwest:

• Yesterday, airtankers laid retardant lines along the northwest flank. Today, crews will be working to maintain those lines and build an adjacent guard.
• Contingency access is being established from Goose Lake Road to the fire perimeter.
• Crews continue to patrol and maintain established guards and are utilizing hand ignitions when conditions permit.
• Danger tree assessment and falling along McConnell Road.

Evacuation orders remain in place for 18 properties within the TNRD, hundreds of other in the regional district remain on alert.