Evacuation alert issued for Trout Lake

An evacuation alert has been issued for Trout Lake due to the nearby Alpha Creek Wildfire, which has grown to nearly 600 hectares in size. 

The evacuation alert is for the North end of Armstrong Lake to Trout Lake, and Trout Lake up to Lardeau Creek to Cup Creek. It includes Ferguson, Five Mile and CM Galena.

The City of Revelstoke issued the evacuation alert on Tuesday morning, on behalf of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District Area B. The alert remains in effect as of Thursday, July 25.

In issuing the alert, the City said “There are multiple fires within the surrounding area of Trout Lake, including one fire that is threatening to move downhill which presents a risk to access/egress — at this time there is no concern of immediate threat to the community.”

The BC Wildfire Service lists lightning as the suspected cause of the Alpha Creek wildfire. A storm system moved through parts of the SouthEast Fire Centre on July 17 and 18, resulting in an increase in lighting-caused wildfire activity.

In an update on its website, the BC Wildfire Service said air tankers and helicopters are supporting ground crews who are strategically responding to current and emerging wildfires in a priority sequence.

Trout Lake is located approximately 90 Kilometres south of Revelstoke.