More than 300 properties ordered to evacuate under threat from the Ross Moore Lake wildfire

KAMLOOPS — The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) expanded an Evacuation Order as a result of the growing Ross Moore Lake wildfire Sunday (Jul. 23) evening.

The new order encompasses 344 properties within Electoral Area “J” (Copper Desert Country) and Electoral Area “L” (Grasslands) including:

• Lac Le Jeune area;
• Long Lake Road and adjoining roads south of the intersection with Goose Lake Road;
• Areas south of Goose Lake Road, including Edith Lake Road;
• All areas west of Highway 5A from Napier Lake to just south of the Knutsford Campground; and
• all areas highlighted red in the map below.
  Image: TNRD Evacuation Order – July 23 , 2023, 7:30 p.m.

The TNRD is instructing all people within the Evacuation Order to:

• Leave immediately.
• To receive Emergency Support Services, please self-register using the Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA) tool: https://ess.gov.bc.ca/, and report to the Reception Centre, located at 1655 Island Pkwy, Kamloops, BC V2B 6Y9.
• Make arrangements to stay with family or friends (if possible).
• Gather family; take a neighbour or someone who needs help.
• Take pets in kennels or on a leash.
• Take critical items (medicine, purse, wallet, keys) only if they are immediately available

The TNRD also expanded the Evacuation Alert area around the wildfire, affecting 157 properties.  The areas under alert are:

• The areas South of Kamloops;
• East of Highway 5;
• North of Stump Lake;
• West of Roche Lake; and
• as outlined on the map below.

In a tweet Sunday evening, the City of Kamloops announced it is working with the BC Wildfire Service by providing fire suppression equipment and personnel to the Evacuation Order area. While it is outside of city limits, it says the support will provide an enhanced response to the Ross Moore Lake wildfire.

In a separate social media message Sunday, the City says Kamloops Fire Rescue is continuing to monitor the fire closely and is ready to respond should the need arise. It says based on the recommendation from the BCWS, it is not expanding the current Evacuation Alert in Knutsford. It says the BCWS has indicated there is no increased threat extending into the City’s alert area at this time.

Earlier Sunday the wildfire was measured at 1,800 hectares by the BCWS. It said a heavy equipment taskforce, aerial crews and ground crews are working to contain the fire which remains out of control.

Saturday the TNRD instituted an Evacuation Order for 49 properties south of the city because of the threat posed by the wildfire.