As its reached day 13 since its inception, the Keremeos Creek wildfire is has shown no growth overnight as it continues to sit at an estimated 6,836 hectares.
Overnight conditions were favourable as BC Wildfire Service crews continued to work on hotspots, patrol the perimeter and work along Highway 3A.
Drone-operated thermal scanning was used overnight to assist crews in eliminating hotspots along the Highway 3A corridor as part of efforts to speed up safely allowing evacuees to return home.
Going into Wednesday (Aug. 10), BCWS expects the fire behaviour to stay subdued due to the cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and light precipitation. It could remain like this for the rest of the week, however, crews are concerned with the predicted weather as there’s a 30 per cent chance of showers with a risk of a thunderstorm and dry lightning that may move through the region.
On Tuesday afternoon some precipitation started, forcing BC Wildfire Services to cancel their planned ignitions.
The fire is continuing to grow slowly in areas where crews are not able to get to because of steep terrain. Crews are using direct and indirect attack measures to contain the blaze, including the established control lines that are holding well.
Along the western and northern flanks, crews are working on surrounding the blaze.
In the last 24 hours, no structures were impacted and the crews’ key objective is to reduce the impact to the public as soon as possible. In the wildland, crews will have to complete mop-up operations to conduct residents a safe return to their homes.
According to BCWS, smoke will be visible for the coming days and crews are contining to work on the perimeter of the blaze.
Over the coming days and weeks, smoke from the interior of the #Keremeos Creek wildfire (K50863) will remain visible. Crews will continue to patrol and mop up the perimeter of the fire where containment has been established. #BCWildfire pic.twitter.com/CX3Y57ONMd
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 10, 2022
The Olella Creek Forest Service road will continue to be closed and no timeline has been announced for when Highway 3A will reopen.
There are currently 50 active wildfire in the province, with eight of them ‘fires of note’.
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@cunninghamjordy
jordy.cunningham@kelownacapnews.com
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