White Rock Lake wildfire now ‘being held’

The White Rock Lake wildfire is now classified as being held, and no longer out of control.

The BC Wildfire Service says the significant change means the fire is not likely to spread beyond determined containment lines.

Crews have been battling the lightning-caused fire since it broke out northeast of Merritt July 13, which eventually led to dozens of homes being destroyed in the Monte Lake and Westside Road areas.

It also resulted in evacuation orders and alerts covering thousands of local residents.

The new classification led to the Okanagan Indian Band and Regional District of Central Okanagan partially lifting some evacuation orders and alerts for hundreds of residents in the Westside Road area on Thursday.

The Wildfire Service said firefighters and support personnel from around the world have maintained response efforts on the fire for the last 52 days.

“Managing a wildfire of this size and complexity requires the skill and knowledge of many people. At its peak, the fire camp in Vernon housed over 500 people directly engaged in wildfire response,” the BCWS said on its website.

Despite the fire risk now considered minimal, the BCWS said considerable work remains on the 83,342 hectare fire to completely extinguish it.

“The BC Wildfire Service will remain engaged in wildfire suppression efforts until there is no risk of impact to public health, critical infrastructure, property, or environmental, economic and social values,” the BCWS stated.