Residents in south-central B.C. are being ordered to evacuate due to wildfire. The only way out is by boat

An evacuation order was issued Wednesday for 92 properties on the shore of Adams Lake near Kamloops, B.C.due to a nearby wildfire, with evacuees being told to go to the Adams Lake Ferry the only way in and out for many residents in the area.

The orderfrom the Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD)states that the Lower East Adams Lake wildfireposes an immediate danger to life, health and property.

On Wednesday night, the Thompson-Nicola Regional Districtalso issued an evacuation alert for approximately 75 properties on the west side of the lake, while an alert was issued laterthe same day for the northern reach of theTsutswecw Provincial Park, just south of the fire.

The area of Adams Lake is primarily recreational,located 85 kilometresnortheast of Kamloops in the central Interior.

The latest on B.C. wildfires for August 3, 2023:

"There is actually no roadaccess to those communities," said Tracy Hughes, the public information officer for the CSRD. "Their only access point is by ferry or by their personal watercraft.

"We certainly know that some people left via their own boats. But many of the evacuees had to cross on the ferry and it's a 10-minute trip across the ferry from one side to the other."

Watch | Property owner on Adams Lake fights of flames with garden hose:

Property owner uses garden hose to protect land from nearby B.C. wildfire

1 year ago

Duration 0:28

Josh Jones used his own hose as he tried to protect his property at Dorian Bay, on the edge of Adams Lake, from a growing wildfire in the area on Aug. 2, 2023.

Hughes said she didn't know the exact number of peoplebeing told to leave immediately, as the area had been on evacuation alert for over a week and people had been coming and going.

After taking the ferry, evacuees are being told to travel by road to the Quaaout Lodge in nearby Chase, B.C.

Hughes said she expected some people to stay behind, as some residents had said they would not leave at a recent public meeting with the district.

"We need people to take this order extremely seriously. We do not put in orders lightly," the officer told CBC News.

"If we put in an order, it means that there is a threat to your safety and you need to go immediately."

An evacuation alert means residents should prepare to evacuate their homes, possibly with little to no notice. An evacuation order means a resident should leave immediately.

'Dramatic' change in fire behaviour

The Lower East Adams Lake wildfire covers an area of 25.27 square kilometres as of Wednesday night. It was suspected to have been sparked by lightning on July 12.

While the fire has resulted in evacuation alerts before, Hughes said that there was a "dramatic change in fire behaviour" on Wednesday, promptingthe evacuation order.

"This fire developed quite a large smoke plume this afternoon," she said on Wednesday. "It became very visible from many areas of the community, even as far away as Salmon Arm."

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS)says in an update that structure protection crews were working through Wednesday as the fire took a turn for the worse, with wind blowing from the north and forcing the fire closer to properties.

"Seven water skimmers were engaged from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Helicopters flew until grounding time to support ground operations," reads an update from the service just after 9 p.m. on Wednesday.

"Please do not boat on the lake," a warningfrom the fire service also reads.

"Aerial operations may be required to cease [Thursday] if boaters are impacting operations."

B.C. Hydro has reported that more than 100residents along the lower end of Adams Lake were without power on Wednesday night, with the BCWS sayingdowned powerlines may pose a risk to those in the area.

As of 9:15 p.m., according to the BCWS, no structures were reported lost to the fire.