Fire behaviour slows on Ross Moore Lake blaze Monday

KAMLOOPS — The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the rate of spread on the Ross Moore Lake wildfire south of Kamloops has slowed.

In an update to its website at 11:45 a.m. Monday (July 24), BCWS says the blaze is displaying Rank 1 and 2 fire behaviour, indicating “a smouldering ground fire with some open flame and a slow rate of spread.”

The fire, which popped up Friday afternoon near Lac Le Jeune, remains at 1,800 hectares and is throwing a lot of smoke into Kamloops.

BCWS says ground crews are working with heavy equipment Monday to build machine guards around the fire. Air tankers and helicopters have been attacking the fire from above.

Sunday night, the Thompson Nicola Regional District expanded its evacuation order to include 344 properties. A further 157 properties are on evacuation alert.

Lac Le Jeune Road, closed at the exit from the Coquihalla Highway (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)