TNRD orders evacuation of 49 properties south of Kamloops; city puts Knutsford on alert

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson Nicola Regional District has ordered 49 properties just south of Kamloops evacuated due to the threat presented by the raging Ross Moore Lake wildfire.

The TNRD’s order was issued at 6:00 p.m. Saturday (July 22).

The fire, which was first discovered near Lac Le Jeune Friday afternoon, has ballooned to 450 hectares as of 4:00 p.m. Saturday.

The properties under evacuation order are as follows:

• 6388 to 6416 Ashley Rd;
• 1848 to 3345 Edith Lake Rd;
• 4180 to 4828 Goose Lake Rd;
• 4188 to 6455 Long Lake Rd;
• 700 to 860 McLeod Lake Rd;
• 5960 to 6381 Weir Rd; and
• as outlined on the map below

Residents of these properties must leave immediately. They are asked to check with the Emergency Social Services (ESS) centre at the McArthur Island Sports Centre in Kamloops, or by using the self check-in tool online.

Image Credit: TNRD

A further 327 properties are under an evacuation alert, to the west, north and east of the order area.

They include areas south of Kamloops, east of Highway 5, west of Highway 5A, including Lac Le Jeune and the Knutsford community within the TNRD.

In addition to the evacuation order and alert from the TNRD, the City of Kamloops has put a portion of Knutsford within city limits on evacuation alert.

The alert includes the following addresses:

• All properties in Knutsford on Princeton-Kamloops Highway (Highway 5A) from (and including) 2565 Princeton-Kamloops Highway to City boundary.
• All properties on Simms Road, Simms Place, and Knutsford Hills Drive.
• All properties on Long Lake Road from Princeton-Kamloops Highway to City boundary.
  Image Credit: City of Kamloops

Residents in these areas should be ready to leave on very short notice.

For more information, visit the City of Kamloops website.

According to the B.C. Wildfire Service, an initial attack crew, response officer, helicopter and heavy equipment task force are on scene at the Ross Moore Lake fire Saturday.

The wildfire service says the blaze has been displaying Rank 3 and 4 behaviour, indicating a “highly vigorous surface fire with possible torching or passive crown front.”