Aerial image of the Hunakwa Lake Fire taken on July 14. (Photo credit: BC Wildfire Service)

By Pete McIntyre

Fire growing

UPDATE: Seymour Arm evacuation alert continues

Jul 15, 2021 | 4:44 PM

SEYMOUR ARM, B.C. — The community of Seymour Arm on Shuswap Lake remains on evacuation alert as a fire in the vicinity continues to grow.

The BC Wildfire Service says the Hunakwa Lake fire has gone from 230 hectares on Wednesday, (July 14) to 650 hectares today.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) says the fire is mostly growing upslope into unpopulated areas, however, there has been some fire spread to the north, towards the community of Seymour Arm.

Backed by the BC Wildfire Service, the CSRD has sent three fire crews along with three fire trucks to Seymour Arm to assist with fire protection. A structural protection unit has been dispatched to assist.

Some CSRD’s FireSmart representatives have also travelled to Seymour Arm to provide advice and information to property owners about how to reduce their fire risk to their home and property.

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BC Wildfire is also assessing the situation regularly and is developing a protection plan for the community.

All Seymour Arm residents are reminded to self-register with Emergency Support Services online through this link: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/ When registering, please indicate the community as Seymour Arm. This step is critical as it provides important information in case of an evacuation.

Residents need to be prepared for evacuation on short notice. Vehicles should be kept filled with gas. It is advised for residents to pack up at least one week’s worth of clothing and toiletries as part of their preparations.

As accommodations in the Shuswap are limited, arrangements should be made to stay with family and friends, if possible.

Visitors staying in the Seymour Arm area should consider changing their vacation plans and relocating out of the evacuation alert area.