KELOWNA – The B.C. Wildfire Service says there are 13 new wildfires burning in the Kamloops Fire Centre, which covers the Okanagan. Two of the fires are in the Penticton and Merritt fire zones.
The Sidley Mountain wildfire in the Penticton Fire Zone started in the United States and has now spread across the Canadian border east of Osoyoos. The fire covers about 50 hectares and has prompted an evacuation order for residents of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary. Firefighting aircraft are supporting ground crews to slow the fire’s spread in grass and open timber. Progress is being made to to guard the fire on the Canadian side of the border. The cause is still undetermined.
The Skuhun Mountain wildfire in the Merritt Fire Zone is burning between Highway 8 and Highway 97C. Air and ground crews responded to the fire Thursday afternoon. The fire is now pegged at 300 hectares. The fire is suspected to be human-caused. No evacuation orders or alerts are in place.
Most of the new fires in the Kamloops Fire Centre are under a hectare and not threatening any homes.
For a look at where all the fires are burning, click here.
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