The tally of structures lost to wildfires near Kamloops this summer continues to grow.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has now reported 161 structure losses due to five different wildfires.

Spokesperson Michelle Nordstrom says 53 of those structures have been identified as people’s primary homes.

“There’s a few different categories. Commercial or industrial, seasonal dwellings, recreational properties or cabins, and then accessory buildings are also one that’s probably a large number, in terms of some of the areas where there’s been loss. So extra accessory buildings that are on properties.”

The White Rock Lake fire has been the most destructive, burning 66 structures including 32 homes within the TNRD boundaries. There have also been 55 structure losses from the Sparks Lake fire and 34 from the Lytton Creek fire, and the Tremont Creek and July Mountain fires each destroyed three structures in the TNRD.

Nordstrom the number of structures affected will likely change as officials continue to tally up the damage. She says it’s been a challenge to get into some areas to assess damage.

“Obviously throughout the summer we’ve had challenges going in due to conditions. Smoke, and other hazards to be able to get in. And some of the areas are quite remote, even just to drive up or get aerial eyes on things.”

Nordstrom also says the damage across the regional district has been much more widespread this summer compared to past wildfire seasons that have been significant.

“From what I’ve heard, this is kind of a unique and unprecedented year in terms of the amount of spread. So many different communities were impacted by so many different fires,” she says.

“Whereas, in 2017, we had the major Elephant Hill wildfire and specific areas – Loon Lake, Pressey Lake, south of Green (Lake) – that had quite a lot of damage. They were communities within, more than likely, the same electoral area, with the same area director, and different things could be done specific to those communities. Because it was kind of close-knit, unfortunately, the damage there.”

The count of 161 structures lost does not include other losses, in the Village of Lytton or any other municipality, regional district or Indigenous communities. At least hundreds of other structures were lost to wildfires outside of the TNRD.