©BCWildfireService

Five properties near Galena Bay and the rural community of Beaton remain on evacuation order after more than a week as the Johnson Creek wildfire grows in the Incomappleux Valley. The City of Revelstoke, on behalf of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District’s Area B, first issued the alert Aug. 9, following updates from BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) that the fire had grown to 154 hectares. As of Sunday, Aug. 23, it had burned 679.7 ha, pushing right up to the Incomappleux Forest Service Road (FSR) and namesake river while surrounding the south and east flanks of the former mining town of Camborne. The lightning-caused blaze was identified more than a month ago on July 19, and has remained out of control after rappel crews tried to contain the flames in difficult sloped and forested terrain. Suppression actions by BCWS personnel continue, with 19 firefighters and aviation resources.