Five new fires flared up throughout the Shuswap Tuesday afternoon, July 23, with all listed as out of control by the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

At just after 11 a.m., a fire started in Upper Yard Creek near Sicamous, northeast of the 260 hectare fire already being fought to the south of town. The new one, however, is estimated at just .009 ha but is expected to grow beyond that perimeter. 

Another .009 fire has been reported heading up the east side of Shuswap Lake, though a firm location has yet to be determined by the BCWS. Further up the lake at Upper Hanakwa Lake is another that was discovered earlier at 9 a.m. that is now estimated at 0.1 ha. Dry lightning is the suspected cause of that one, while the other two are still under investigation. 

Two more have been reported across the lake near Albas Falls, with one found around 11:30 a.m. at 2 Mile Creek at an estimated .009 ha, The other is listed at the same size at Blueberry Creek and was first reported soon after at 12:30 p.m. The suspected cause of both remains under investigation. 

These new flare ups are in addition to another fire found early in the morning at Newsome Creek between Chase and Sorrento that has grown to 1 ha and resulted in an evacuation alert for 14 properties in the latter community. 

Updates and evacuation alerts and orders can be found online at the .