Wildfires Rage in British Columbia, Eastgate Fire Grows to Over 700 Hectares

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Destructive Blaze Sparks Evacuations and Emergency Response Efforts

The Placer Creek wildfire, located about 30 kilometres south of Princeton, has rapidly grown from an estimated 291 hectares on Saturday morning to over 725 hectares by Sunday afternoon. The BC Wildfire Service reports that the fire is showing Rank 2 to Rank 3 fire activity, with a "moderately vigorous surface fire" and a slow to moderate rate of spread.

  • The Placer Creek wildfire has grown to over 725 hectares as of Sunday afternoon.
  • Crews working on the Placer Creek fire were redirected to the August Lake fire on Saturday.
  • Evacuation orders are in effect south of Highway 3, west to Amber Hill Road / Darcy Mountain Road adjacent of Sewer Treatment Plant.
  • Evacuation alerts are also in effect north of Highway 3 along the Similkameen River.

Increased Fire Activity Expected

According to Cassidy Martin, BCWS information officer, wildfire activity may increase at the two wildfires burning near Princeton due to rising temperatures. "As we see the temperature increasing a little bit over the mid parts of the day, that fire behaviour might increase a little bit," Martin said.

The August Lake wildfire has been burning near Princeton, with "minimal growth overnight" reported by BC Wildfire Service crews on Sunday morning. However, as the temperature rises, fire activity is expected to increase, and crews will be monitoring the situation to determine if more personnel are needed to respond to the Placer Creek fire.

Emergency Response Efforts

A new emergency reception centre has been set up at the Princeton Annex located at 231 Bridge Street, where residents can contact for assistance. The evacuation orders and alerts in effect are as follows:

  • Evacuation orders: south of Highway 3, west to Amber Hill Road / Darcy Mountain Road adjacent of Sewer Treatment Plant, east to Willies Ranch Road, Princeton Golf Club, and Taylor Mill Drive.
  • Evacuation alerts: north of Highway 3 along the Similkameen River, south of Princeton Cemetery Road, east of Copper Mountain Road, west of Willie Ranch Road.

Residents can contact the Princeton Annex reception centre at 250-273-0143 for further information or assistance.