The Dry Lake wildfire (K60864) within the Merritt Fire Zone continues to burn out of control despite more favourable conditions overnight.
“It’s still classified as out of control at this time,” said Taylor MacDonald, Fire Information Officer with the Kamloops Fire Centre.
“We had good recoveries overnight and cool temperatures this morning and that definitely helped crews in their suppression efforts. The heavy equipment were able to put in a pretty good guard and they had good progress there. Crews on site are working to put in guard in the steeper terrain areas that the machines can’t access that easily. They are being supported by four helicopters right now, there’s fifty-one personnel on site today and they’re being supported by ten pieces of heavy equipment. We got a more accurate track on it and it’s now sized at 21-hectares.”
The fire was originally discovered on Sunday, August 2 approximately 24 kilometres northwest of Princeton. The cause of the wildfire is suspected to be lightning.
Currently, 43 properties are on evacuation alert due to the blaze.
The Coldwater River fire (K60875) was discovered Monday, August 3, 27 kilometres southwest of Merritt and no cause has yet been released.
“It is sized at 3.8 hectares, and the status is under control at this time, which means that the fire has received sufficient suppression action to ensure no further spread,” said MacDonald.
“Today we have 13 personnel on it, and we do have aerial resources available if required.”
The fire is reportedly visible from Highway 5, and no structures are threatened.
BC Wildfire Service also reports requesting support from the RCMP as boaters on Shuswap Lake are interfering with firefighting aircraft.
“This sort of behaviour is dangerous, both to people on the boat and to our personnel, and interferes with critical firefighting operations,” reads a statement from BC Wildfire Service.
“Please stay away from active wildfire sites whether on the ground, in the air, or on the water.”
