Image: BCWS / File image of Bush Creek East wildfire

By CFJC Today Staff

2023 Wildfires

Bush Creek East wildfire displaying active behaviour in southern region of Turtle Valley

Aug 30, 2023 | 2:21 PM

KAMLOOPS — At approximately 430 square kilometres, the monster Bush Creek East wildfire is continuing to create headaches for the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) while leaving residents in the Shuswap on edge.

In a virtual Thompson Nicola Regional District meeting Wednesday (Aug. 30), BCWS Fire Information Officer Mike McCulley said the fire was most active in the southern portion of Turtle Valley and east towards Sorrento.

McCulley says, structural protection teams are setting up sprinklers in Turtle Valley as the wildfire presses on.

The fire has moved to the southern edge of the CP Rail tracks just west of Sorrento. Large helicopters have been working full-time on dropping buckets of water on the fire and have had some success in slowing growth towards Sorrento.

There are 320 firefighters on the ground battling the fire, including many local residents who have been trained and blended into wildfire crews.

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Meantime in the North Shuswap, BC Hydro is actively repairing hydro lines and doing its best to restore power. BC Hydro spokesperson Susan Edgell says crews have been tasked with replacing 430 power poles throughout the region. She says about 50 per cent of holes have been dug for the new holes at this point.

Hydro has been successful in restoring power to the Scotch Creek Medical Centre and the Little Shuswap Sewer Lagoon facility, two key pieces of infrastructure in the region.