News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

At about 3:30pm July 11, 2010, the North Okanagan Regional Detachment RCMP received a call to assist at a fire that had broken out c.

The large chip pile, commonly referred to as the Hog Pile, located just North of the mill building ignited. Tolko Mill responded to the fire but with the high winds the fire quickly grew in size and began to spread to the log yard North of the mill and hog pile.

Numerous area fire departments, including Armstrong Spall, Vernon, Enderby, and BX Swan Lake were called to respond along with Forest Services. The fire is being fought by ground crews and air support from helicopters conducting water drops and fixed wing air tankers placing fire retardant on the area.

The fire continues to burn in the hog pile and log yard. There has been no structural damage to the Tolko Mill at this point. The cause of the fire has not been formally investigated at this point and as such a cause for the fire can not be released. Visibility is greatly reduced in the area because of heavy smoke. An Emergency Operations Center involving all agencies involved has been established to respond to the incident that is expected to continue into the late evening and perhaps beyond.

The RCMP and Search and Rescue have evacuated the Valley Auction facility to the North of the location and four area mobile home parks (Twin Furs, Belvas, Meadow Ridge, and Pallisades). An Emergency Social Services Reception Center has been established at Centennial Hall on Pleasant Valley Road in Armstrong. Over 100 persons have checked in so far and is expected to continue into the evening.

Highway 97A between Smith Drive in Armstrong and intersection with Highway 97 at the Swan Lake junction to Kamloops is closed in both directions with alternate routes established and directions available at check points. Time frames of road closures are not known at this time. Ministry of Transportation will update web site with information as it becomes available.

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