Murray Lake evacuation rescinded

KAMLOOPS – An evacuation notice for 35 properties at Murray Lake will be lifted at noon Thursday as the fire risk continues to decrease in the area.

The 340 hectare Maka-Murray fire, south of Merritt and west of the Coquihalla Highway, is now 45 per cent contained and some heavy equipment has been pulled from the site. Nearly 80 firefighters remain on site along with two helicopters.

The fire began last Monday and the evacuation alert and order was put in place a couple of days later. The week-long evacuation affected about 35 properties along Murray Lake.

Crews were pulled from the aggressive fire early in the battle but they returned a few days later. They have been able to gain some containment every day since.

The area did get rain Wednesday with the large storm system that moved through the region.

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