The Heather Lake wildfire continued to grow over the weekend according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
The fire is now estimated to stand at over 1,900 hectares after crossing over into B.C. from the United States and burning five kilometres from the Manning Park Resort.
Although it isn’t currently under immediate threat, a structural protection unit has been stationed to support the defense of the resort.
As of Monday morning, Sept. 5, there were 24 firefighters, four helicopters, and one piece of heavy equipment along with the structural protection unit deployed to the fire. BC Wildfire says the fire is “burning in a highly volatile fuel type and has potential for aggressive fire behaviour.” The provincial fire service is working with BC Parks and the US Forest Service to fight the blaze.
The Heather Lake fire was discovered Aug. 21 and is believed to be caused by lightning. It originated in the Okanagan Wenatchee National Forest, and crossed the border into Manning.
Multiple trails were put under evacuation order due to the fire: Monument 78 Trail (Castle Creek Trail); Monument 83 Trail; Pacific Crest Trail (PCT Camp to Monument 78 Camp); Mt Frosty Loop (Similkameen Trail to Frosty Mt Peak); Windy Joe Trail (Mt Frosty Loop to Windy Joe lookout); Mt Frosty Loop (Lightning Lake Day Use to Frosty Mt Peak).
All trails south of Highway 3 are open, with Lightning Lake Chain Trail, Canyon Nature Trail, Rein Orchid Trail and Skyline I under alert.
Hampton, Lightning Lake, Coldspring, Mule Deer, Headwaters Horse Corral, and Lone Duck 1 and 2 campgrounds are under alert, but operating normally.
A campfire ban is in place for all of Manning Park.
READ MORE: Heather Lake fire triples in size and burns close to Manning Park
With files from Andrea DeMeer
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