Smoke from Boston Bar-area wildfire darkens Kamloops sky, as FVRD upgrades evacuation alert to order

UPDATE, 9:30 A.M. WEDNESDAY: The BC Wildfire Service now says the Brunswick Creek wildfire has swelled to 2,594 hectares, according to the latest update at 7:31 a.m. this morning (Wednesday, July 8).

The Ainslie Creek wildfire is now 8,816 hectares, according to the latest update at 7:31 a.m. this morning.

Original story:

BOSTON BAR/KAMLOOPS – The sky above Kamloops darkened considerably Tuesday evening (July 7), apparently the result of smoke drifting in from two wildfires near Boston Bar.

The website FireSmoke.ca showed a forecast of smoke drifting northeast throughout the day, emitted by the 1,800-hectare blaze. There is also the nearby Ainslie Creek wildfire that is currently estimated at 695 hectares as of 10:46 p.m. Tuesday night, July 7.

The BC Wildfire Service website shows no significant fire activity in the more localized Kamloops area.

All arrivals and departures at Kamloops Airport were listed as on time as of 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, despite reduced visibility.

Earlier in the day, Interior Health warned of health impacts caused by breathing wildfire smoke, especially for those with pre-existing conditions.

Tuesday evening, the Fraser Valley Regional District upgraded an evacuation alert to an evacuation order for the Canyon Alpine area due to the ongoing wildfire risk from the Brunswick Creek fire (1,800 hectares) and the Ainslie Creek wildfire (695 hectares). Residents in the area have been ordered to leave the designated area immediately.

The evacuation order does not apply to FVRD staff and contractors, Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Canadian National Railway Company staff and contractors, BC Wildfire Service staff and contractors, Canyon Alpine Motel staff and Lotus Hideaway staff.

FVRD evacuation map. (Image Credit: FVRD.)

Evacuees in need of in-person support have been directed to go to Shxwhá:y Village at 44680 Schweyey Road in Chilliwack.

Smoke from the Fraser Canyon wildfires. (Image Credit: Facebook.)

As of Tuesday night, per the recommendation of the BC Wildfire Service, FVRD is maintaining an evacuation alert for Boston Bar. FVRD is urging people within the alert area to be prepared to evacuate on short notice with any necessary supplies.

Previously, FVRD issued evacuation orders for the area of Fishblue Lake (Sunday evening, July 5, 8:28 p.m.) and North Bend (Saturday evening, July 4, 5:42 p.m.), according to the Alertable app.

As per DriveBC yesterday at 3:21 p.m., Highway 1 remains closed through the Fraser Canyon.