Voluntary evacuation alert issued as crews battle fire in Thompson-Nicola region

VANCOUVER – The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has issued a voluntary evacuation alert for those living five kilometres north of a wildfire south of Ashcroft.

Fire Information Officer Michaela Swan says the wildfire grew aggressively overnight due to strong winds, and is now estimated to have burned about 8.5 square kilometres.

Swan says the fire has now moved into an accessible area that may give the nearly 80 firefighters battling the blaze the ability to get the upper hand.

She says they’re using heavy machinery, air tankers, five helicopters and fire retardant to try to contain and stop the fire.

A spokesman with the district says the area is sparsely populated and it’s not yet known how many homes will be subject to the alert.

A high fire-danger rating has been issued for the entire Okanagan, from Osoyoos to Vernon and the Shuswap.