Fire at Heather Lake UPDATE: 4:20 p.m The Heather Lake Fire in Manning Park is now estimated at 7,000 hectares. About 3,084 hectares are burning in Canada. The BC Wildfire Service says increased smoke will be visible Thursday from the United States and Canada. “This fire is burning heavy fuel and has the potential for aggressive and rapid growth if winds and terrain align. A dry cold front will bring gusty westerly winds and wind will persist overnight,” said an update that issued Thursday afternoon. Highway 3 will continue to have increased smoke and visibility issues may be evident. Travelers are asked to slow down and use extra caution in fire zones. The freeway remains open. A total of 37 firefighters, eight helicopters and one piece of heavy equipment are fighting the fire. Evacuation orders and alerts in Manning Park and the Eastgate community remain in effect. ORIGINAL: 12 p.m The Heather Lake fire in Manning Park has reached 4,140 hectares, on the US-Canada border. About 2,349 hectares are burning in Canada. The fire was naturally caused by lightning and therefore, areas that burn at high elevations away from communities are left to burn as part of the forest’s natural process. Evacuation notices and orders in Eastgate and Manning Park remain in place on Thursday. The BC Wildfire Service has contacted the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District, BC Parks and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to prepare for the possibility of the Heather Lake Fire affecting Highway 3, EC Manning Park and local communities .
