Garrison Lake fire runs north, grows to 2,400 hectares

Photo: BCWS

UPDATE: 12 p.m.

The Garrison Lake wildfire southwest of Princeton remains out of control and estimated at 2,400 hectares.

BC Wildfire Service said it is likely larger than that estimated size but they are unable to provide an update at this time.

They said growth was active on the west and southeast flanks overnight.

An evacuation alert for 141 properties and an evacuation order for two properties, issued by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen, remain in place.

The cause of the fire is as-yet undetermined.

ORIGINAL: 4 a.m.

A fire burning just outside Manning Park and threatening the community of Eastgate is running north, away from homes and into open timber.

The Garrison Lake fire has now grown to 2,400 hectares in size, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

“The increase in size is due to the fire taking a run to the north in open timber types. Further growth is expected on this fire which is dependent on the weather, in particular the wind,” BCWS said in a brief statement.

The blaze has prompted evacuation alerts for 141 properties in Eastgate and evacuation orders for two properties outside the small community.

At this point, the BC Wildfire Service does not have boots on the ground fighting the fire.

“This fire is being monitored with aerial resources and industry partners are working with heavy equipment to action the fire,” BCWS said.