The Hullcar Mountain wildfire on Saturday, Aug. 10 (Image credit: BCWS).

By Liam Verster-Vernon Matters

Hullcar Mountain Wildfire

Evacuation orders downgraded as Hullcar Mountain fire being held

Aug 13, 2024 | 6:02 AM

ARMSTRONG, B.C. — Evacuation orders issued in response to a North Okanagan wildfire have been downgraded.

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said controlled ignitions and mop-up operations over the weekend allowed the Hullcar Mountain wildfire to be downgraded to “being held” on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 11. That reclassification indicated that the fire would not spread beyond the current perimeter or control lines.

In response to the fire severity decreasing, evacuation orders issued by the Township of Spallumcheen, Splatsin First Nation, and Columbia Shuswap Regional District were downgraded to evacuation alerts Monday, Aug. 12. Evacuation alerts that were previously in place were also rescinded Monday.

There were roughly 60 properties in Spallumcheen still under the alert, along with the properties at 4860 and 41910 Hullcar Road; 5214 Clcahl Road; 2325 to 2501 Salmon River Road; and 2232 to 2310 Deep Creek Road.

Though the orders were downgraded, the local First Nation and local governments still advise people in the alert areas have grab-and-go bags packed and be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice should the fire flare up and start to spread again.

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The Hullcar Mountain fire sparked August 4 and burned approximately 784 hectares, including the 10 hectares burned by BCWS crews during the controlled ignitions over the weekend. The fire was suspected of being caused by lightning.

The Okanagan Indian Band also lifted evacuation alerts for five properties on Heywood-Armstrong Road Monday.