An image of the smoky skies over Adams Lake. (Photo via CSRD)

While the Lower East Adams Lake Wildfire is moving slowly down the fire’s east side and into steep terrain, the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District says work to build fire guards on the south flank is continuing.

CSRD Spokesperson Tracy Hughes says this new fire guard on the south is meant to protect communities in the North Shuswap.

“The guards are actually being put into place right now along the Gold Creek area, which is the guard line that they’re currently working with,” Hughes said.

She says about one-third of this guard has already been installed, with the expectation that it will be complete in the next couple of days.

“That guard is designed to protect the North Shuswap communities, Lee Creek would be the first one in line, as there is concern that with unpredictable winds, we could get fire movement in that direction,” Hughes added.

BC Hydro crews are also expected to finish work to restore power to the area in the coming days.

Hughes says while some unsettled weather including a chance of showers, thunderstorms, and erratic winds on Tuesday has the potential to increase fire behavior and growth, there is still no current threat to communities in the North Shuswap.

“At this point, there is no imminent threat to any structures in the Lee Creek area,” Hughes added. “There is no evacuation alert or evacuation order in place for the North Shuswap communities of Lee Creek, Anglemont, and Celista.”

A look at the evacuation orders (red) and evacuation alerts (yellow) around the Adams Lake area as of 1pm, Aug. 7, 2023 (Photo via TNRD)

Evacuation orders and alerts do however cover both sides of Adams Lake as the BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Bush Creek East and the Lower East Adams Lake wildfires.

Sunday night, the TNRD issued an evacuation order for 13 properties on the west side of Adams Lake due to the Bush Creek East fire while also revising an evacuation alert for 73 properties on alert further south due to the Lower East Adams Lake fire.

Last Wednesday, the TNRD, Columbia-Shuswap Regional District, and the Adams Lake Indian Band issued evacuation orders after a flare up on the Lower East Adams Lake Fire. Evacuation alerts were also put in place by the TNRD and the CSRD.

Another 12 properties in the Fadear Creek Road area on the western flank of the Bush Creek East fire have also been on evacuation alert since July 23.

The Bush Creek East fire has burned an estimated 1,789 hectares – 17.8 square kilometres – of land, while the Lower East Adams Lake fire has burned 4,823 hectares – 48.2 square kilometres – of land.