Wood Lake fire continues to grow

“It’s unfortunate that somebody did something that caused this fairly large wildfire in an area that a lot of people enjoy using”, says Macpherson.

“The fire is creating so much smoke, it’s quite hard to ascertain an accurate size at this point, just because of the wind and the conditions in the area”.

Dozens of personnel joined the battle Monday against a growing wildfire in a popular forested recreational area near Harrison Hot Springs.

Wind has fanned the flames from the fire, which has already scorched well over 45 hectares.

Air tankers, including the famed Martin Mars bomber, attacked the blaze Sunday, dropping water and retardant. The fire is now spreading northward away from the community of Harrison Hot Springs. “The wind is blowing sparks and embers ahead of the fire, and the fire’s activity is challenging the air tanker work”, the service said.

Campers were evacuated from 10-Mile Bay and Wood Lake on Sunday. The B.C. Wildfire Service said the campgrounds aren’t directly threatened, but the fire has affected the only road leading in and out of the sites.

The fire is now classified as Rank 4, meaning it is aggressive, but still mainly on the ground with short aerial bursts. Said spokesperson Donna MacPherson: “This fire was completely preventable”. Three helicopters and more than 70 personnel were fighting the fire on the west side of Harrison Lake, said MacPherson.