ARMSTRONG, B.C. - A large fire at a sawmill in British Columbia's Okanagan has forced at least 250 residents of four trailer parks to evacuate their residences.


The blaze erupted mid-afternoon Sunday at the Tolko Mill near the community about 25 kilometres north of Vernon.

The RCMP said a large wood chip pile known as a hog pile just north of the mill building ignited, and the flames quickly spread to a log yard.

Sgt. David Evans said the four trailer parks contain about 200 residences, but did not know how many people fell under the evacuation order.

Evans said there have been no reported injuries.

The fire continued to burn early Monday in the hog pile, which Evans said is largely comprised of bark and woodchips.

He said it's not uncommon for hog piles to catch on fire because of the heat they generate _ "much like wet hay in a barn" that can smoulder and burn.

Evans added it was too early to determine what caused the fire.

Firefighters from several communities were initially assisted by helicopters conducting water drops and fixed wing tankers dropping fire retardant.

However, Evans said the air operation had been suspended.

"It's been reduced obviously to a ground attack only with nightfall here _ that's the way it will continue through the night," he said.

While there had been no structural damage at Tolko, Evans said at least one building at a business called Valley Auctions sustained minor damage.

"The extent of the damage we don't know for sure, but it certainly was brought under control very quickly," he said.

Evans added that it was too early to say when the evacuees might return to the Twin Furs, Belvas, Meadow Ridge and Pallisades trailer parks.

"All the evacuation orders are still in effect. We'll be reassessing that in the morning. They've all been provided with opportunities to stay in hotel rooms for the evening," he said.

"Eleven o'clock is typically a hotel check-out _ we're hopeful that we'll have a reassessment done on the situation early tomorrow (Monday) morning and hopefully give some direction as to whether or not they'll be able to return."

Tolko, a 54-year-old company with operations across Western Canada, produces lumber, plywood, veneer, oriented strand board, and kraft papers.

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