Image Credit: CFJC Today / Michael Reeve

By James Peters

Lower East Adams Lake Wildfire

Lower East Adams Lake wildfire races toward Dorian Bay community Wednesday; evacuation underway

Aug 2, 2023 | 6:51 PM

ADAMS LAKE, B.C. — UPDATE (9:30 p.m.): The Thompson Nicola Regional District has issued an evacuation alert for 75 properties on the west side of Adams Lake, across the lake from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire.

Details are available here.

Residents of those 75 properties should be ready to leave on very short notice.

Image Credit: TNRD

UPDATE: (8:45 p.m.): The Thompson Nicola and Columbia Shuswap Regional Districts have expanded evacuation orders as the Lower East Adams Lake fire roars downslope toward the community of Dorian Bay.

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The TNRD’s evacuation order encompasses a large swath of land but only two addressed properties: 2992 Rawson Road and 3500 Bugcamp Creek-Adams East Forest Service Road.

Image Credit: TNRD

To the south, the CSRD’s evacuation order encompasses 55 properties, including all properties between 2597 and 2741 Rawson Road.

Image Credit: CSRD

The B.C. Wildfire Service says ground crews and structure protection units are fully engaged. However, only one load of retardant was dropped before the smoke column collapsed, meaning visibility was too poor for further passes.

BCWS says helicopters and skimmers will continue to work until no longer able, and ground crews will remain on scene through the night.

WATCH: (Video Credit: Facebook / Courtney Puchelak)

UPDATE (8:25 p.m.): B.C. Hydro confirms the power has been knocked out to more than 200 customers in the Dorian Bay area due to the fire’s advancement.

Image Credit: BC Hydro

UPDATE (8:05 p.m.) The Thompson Nicola Regional District has issued a state of emergency for the area of the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire.

Image Credit: TNRD

UPDATE (7:00 p.m.): The Columbia Shuswap Regional District has issued an evacuation order for properties between 2893 to 2900 Rawson Road in the Dorian Bay area.

Properties from 2597 to 2741 Rawson Road are under evacuation alert.

Image Credit: CSRD

More information is available here.

WATCH: (Video Credit: Contributed / Helena Morris)

EARLIER: The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) has confirmed a drastic change in the behaviour of the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire late Wednesday afternoon (Aug. 2).

BCWS has confirmed the fire is now racing toward homes and cabins in the Dorian Bay community on the east shore of Adams Lake.

Image Credit: Facebook / Emily Buff

Fire Information Officer Forrest Tower says there has been growth downslope toward the community.

Tower says an evacuation order is imminent. The Adams Lake Ferry will be used to help with the evacuation.

Skimmers and air tankers are on scene.

The development comes just hours after BCWS posted projections stating the fire was unlikely to come close to structures.

BCWS posted this update on its website:

6:34 p.m. update: Airtankers and skimmers are responding to the increased fire activity on the southern flank. Ground crews are en route. This is an evolving situation and information will be posted as it comes in from the field.

Please follow instructions from on-site personnel. The ferry will be managed in coordination with BCWS, CSRD and the ferry service.

More to come.