BCWS attack August Lake Fire (credit - Mayor Spencer Coyne/Facebook)

By Michael Reeve

WILDFIRE SEASON 2025

UPDATED – Evacuation orders and alerts issued for Princeton area

Jul 12, 2025 | 8:29 PM

PRINCETON — Update 10:40 a.m (July 13)

The BC Wildfire Service reported minimal growth overnight on the August Lake fire near Princeton, with the fire still estimated to be 14 hectares in size.

“Overnight, crews saw minimal growth to this fire. Today, the priority remains to be actioning the north and east flanks, establishing guard and a hose lay between the fire and nearby structures,” reads the BCWS website. “Crews are reporting Rank 1-2 behaviour, which means a smouldering ground fire with pockets of surface fire and a slow rate of spread.”

BCWS reports that 40 firefighters are assigned to the fire, along with three helicopters and a structural protection unit.

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The August Lake Wildfire burning near Princeton has forced the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen to issue an evacuation order and alert.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) is issuing an Evacuation Order and Alert due to the August Lake Wildfire #K60923 in Electoral Area “H.”

Evac order in red, alert in yellow (credit – RDOS)

The Evacuation Order includes the following areas:

– South of Highway 3

– West to Amber Hill Road / Darcy Mountain Road adjacent of Sewer Treatment Plant

– East to Willies Ranch Road

– Includes Princeton Golf Club and Properties on Taylor Mill Drive

This evacuation order has been issued and you must leave your premises immediately. Please report to the Princeton Emergency Support Services (ESS) Reception Centre at the Princeton & District Arena at 167 Old Hedley Rd., Princeton.

In addition to the order, an alert has also been issued by the Regional District.

The Evacuation Alert includes the following areas:

– Properties north of Highway 3 along the Similkameen River

– South of Princeton Cemetery Road

– East of Copper Mountain Road

– West of Willie Ranch Road

Evacuation Alert: This evacuation alert has been issued to prepare you to leave your premises or property should it be found necessary. Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation; however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.

The next update from the regional district is expected Sunday morning at 10:30 a.m., unless conditions change.

The BC Wildfire Service lists the fire at 14 hectares.

“We currently have both ground and aerial resources, including five airtankers, responding to this incident. The fire is displaying rank 2-3 behaviour, meaning a moderately vigorous surface fire with a moderate rate of spread,” reads the BCWS website.