Wildfire service plots huge planned ignition to protect North Shuswap Thursday

LEE CREEK, B.C. — B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) officials are hoping a massive planned ignition can alleviate the danger from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire to North Shuswap communities.

In an update to its website, BCWS says the planned ignition was to be held Thursday afternoon (Aug. 17) “if there is a window of opportunity.”

The ignition would be intended to cut down on the available fuel between the southeast edge of the Lower East Adams Lake fire and the communities of Lee Creek and Scotch Creek. It would take place along about 10 kilometres of fire guard that has already been build along the power lines that run north of the communities.

The service says in the event the ignition can go ahead, residents will see a large column of smoke coming from the area.

Both Lee Creek and Scotch Creek were put on evacuation alert Wednesday, with officials saying they may be put on order in subsequent days.

While winds are currently blowing the fire in a northeast direction, away from the communities, a cold front moving into the area is expected to turn winds around in a complete reversal.