Evacuation alert issued as fire north of Malakwa grows substantially

Photo: CSRD

UPDATE 12:35 p.m.

An evacuation alert has been issued because of the Crazy Creek Gorge fire.

An evacuation alert was issued by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District at the Shuswap Emergency Program’s Emergency Operations Centre Friday, July 30.

The growing Crazy Creek Gorge fire is in the CSRD’s Electoral Area E and may pose a danger to life, health or property.

The evacuation alert is in effect for the communities of Queest Village and Pete Martin Bay at the northern end of Shuswap Lake.

An evacuation alert is a warning about a potential threat to life and/or property. It is intended to give you time to be ready for a possible evacuation.

Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to evacuation, however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.

BC Wildfire Service fire information officer Kyla Fraser said the fire is now mapped at an estimated 1,700 hectares, but because there is such thick smoke in the area, it is difficult to get an accurate mapping.

“That thick smoke has also impacted our air operations,” said Fraser. “We are continuing to keep an eye on it.”

Meanwhile, operators of Crazy Creek Resort at the opposite end of the creek, say the fire is far from them, and the business remains open.

Photo: BC Wildfire service

ORIGINAL 10:34 a.m.

A wildfire burning north of Malakwa has grown substantially since it started.

The Crazy Creek Gorge Forest Service Road fire east of Shuswap Lake was first reported July 10, and is now reported to have burned 1,300 hectares.

It remains out of control.

On July 20, the BC Wildfire Service mapped the fire at 65 hectares.

Meanwhile, the Bews Creek fire, which is southeast of the Crazy Creek blaze, is also classified as out of control and is burning at 420 hectares.

On July 13, the Bews Creek fire had burned 8.5 hectares.