UPDATE: North Bend wildfire grows to 1,230 hectares

Update 2:30 p.m.: BC Wildfire Service says the Brunswick Creek wildfire in North Bend has now grown more than twelve-fold Sunday afternoon, July 5.

Original story below:

NORTH BEND — Crews from neighbouring communities are now supporting operations in the Brunswick Creek fire that has grown to 100 hectares Saturday (July 4).

Strong downslope winds gusting 40 to 50 kilometres an hour fanned the flames Saturday afternoon, as well as ignited “several” spot fires from its embers, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

The Chilliwack River Valley Fire Department has deployed a firetruck for mutual aid to Boston Bar to assist with the wildfire situation, while Hope Volunteer Search and Rescue helped deliver evacuation notices to Boston Bar residents last night.

Hope residents also reported seeing RCMP vehicles heading towards North Bend to facilitate evacuations.

“We have nothing more to offer than encouragement and hope to the people who live up the Canyon and are experiencing numerous early season wildfires of note this year,” said Hope SAR.

While BCWS says the fire has been growing upslope, away from people and infrastructure, evacuation orders have been issued for the Boothroyd Indian Band, North Bend and adjacent properties on the west side of the Fraser River.

Boston Bar extending both north and south is under an evacuation alert.

BCWS is assisting with three initial attack crews, two unit crews, two response officers, heavy equipment and aviation support, including two groups of helicopters with night-vision capabilities.

Smoke has been highly visible in the area of Highway 1, including in Kamloops and Merritt, but no impacts to the highway or railroad are expected.

The Hope Recreation Centre has been scheduled to reopen at 10:30 a.m. to host evacuees.

Locals under a tactical evacuation are asked to gather their families, pets and essential items.

Updates will be added as they become available.