With the growing number of forest fires across B.C., many are hoping to see the heat dwindle and the rains pour.
Within our area, three fires have forestry and fire crews working day and night.
As of July 17, the Apex Mountain Fire is approximately 186 hectares and half contained; the Boot Hill Fire (Nickleplate) is not contained and is approximately 136 Hectares; the closest fire of note to Princeton and Area is the Jura Fire.
The Jura Fire started early afternoon on July 16 and has since expanded to 200 hectares. An evacuation alert was put out during Wednesday evening for the Bankeir and Erris areas including; 115 to 131 Augur Road, 112 Bankeir Place, 105 to 136 Country Lane, 120 to 145 Jellico Road, 4067 to 4131 Lakesyde Road, 150 to 223 Lakeview Road, 113 to 117 Lee CK PL, 102 to 272 Link Lake Road, 4088 to 4116 Meadow Cres, 114 to 126 Muskoka Road, 131 and 143 Osprey Place, 110 to 231 Pinewood Drive, 143 Jellicoe Road, 1556 to 4600 Princeton-Summerland Road, 1364 to 1862 Shinish Creek Road , 118 to 149 Tee Pee Lakes Place and 186 Trout Main FSR Road.
Besides the ground crew, the Jura Fire is being worked on by 2 bombers guided by a bird-dog (spotter plane) and helicopter.
"The forestry and fire crews are doing a great job, said Sandi Lawlor, president of the Erris Volunteer Fire Association, they have made two fire breaks and have the fire about two-thirds contained."
The Erris volunteers went door-to-door on Wednesday evening to make sure that residents in the area were aware of the evacuation alert issued by the RDOS Emergency Operations Center.
The signal to evacuate the area is "If you hear the police driving up and down the road with the sirens blaring," said Lawlor.
The Erris Volunteer Fire Department is on alert and forestry personnel are in contact with Fire Chief Rick Blue, providing updates. Princeton and Hayes Creek Volunteer Fire Departments are also on standby to provide assistance if necessary.
Effective at noon on Wednesday, July 16, all campfires were prohibited throughout the entire Kamloops Fire Centre. Anyone found in violation of an open fire ban may be issued a ticket for up to $345. Anyone who causes a wildfire through arson or recklessness may be fined up to $1 million, spend up to three years in prison and be held accountable for associated firefighting costs.
To keep current with the Jura, Apex and Boot Hill fires visit www.rdos.bc.ca or www.bcwildfire.ca