No structures lost as wildfire nears Sorrento, more evacuations planned

The Bush Creek East Wildfire got close to Sorrento Tuesday night, sparking the need for further evacuations.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) said the fire was active on the west side of the train tracks near the Shuswap community overnight August 29.

Fire crews from CSRD and the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) responded to the blaze and fought it through much of the night. No structures were lost due to the fire.

The CSRD ordered 14 properties on the west side to evacuate Wednesday, but noted all impacted residents have already left the area.

14 properties in Sorrento were ordered to evacuate due to the nearby wildfire Wednesday (Image courtesy of the CSRD)

Water supply was temporarily interrupted during the firefighting due to a pump failure, but the CSRD said it was operational again as of Wednesday morning. A boil water advisory remains in place for Sorrento.

People are asked to stay away from the fire areas to allow firefighters and equipment easy access to the front line.

The CSRD added that “residents in Sorrento and Blind Bay may certainly be concerned [of the nearby fire]. however, firefighters feel comfortable with the current status and the weather is in their favour [Wednesday].”