UPDATE: The Richter Mountain wildfire is now listed at 80 hectares, though BC Wildfire Service says that number will likely change.
The fire, which is burning adjacent to Highway 3 between Cawston and Osoyoos, grew overnight when downslope winds fanned the blaze.
Watch below: Ranchers battle Richter Mountain wildfire near Cawston, BC
Come Friday morning, the growing wildfire – which is still listed as out of control – was roughly estimated at 100 hectares by BC Wildfire. Later in the day, though, it was downsized to 80 hectares.
“The size will change again when we get a chance to get ground tracking so it’s more accurate,” said BC Wildfire information officer Nicole Bonnett.
BC Wildfire described the fire as having fingers, or excursions, that extend from the main body of the blaze. The overnight winds that fanned the fire were also described as being common for the area.
Watch below: Extended interview: Richter Mountain residents battle blaze near homes
Currently, 62 firefighters are on scene battling the wildfire, along with air support from helicopters and air tankers.
Bonnett said additional resources will be allocated to the fire if needed.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Melissa Genberg was hopeful on Thursday. By Friday morning, she was thankful.
The Richter Mountain wildfire exploded in size overnight, growing to the point where area ranchers were forced to battle the blaze in a combined effort.
On Thursday, BC Wildfire Service listed the blaze at 60 hectares in size. Genberg, who operates a 150-acre hay ranch called KG Industries, said at one point the fire was much, much larger than that.
“And then from there on, it covered an entire mountainside within two hours.”
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Genberg said the ranch was prepared for the blaze, with fire hoses and the ranch’s half-dozen night-shift employees ready to go.
Genberg added they contacted two nearby ranches “and they call came. One brought their water truck and then we started fighting it on our own.”
She said they battled the blaze until approximately 4:30 a.m., which is when BC Wildfire Service swooped in.
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“At that point, the fire was moving so quickly, it was kind of past our particular danger zone,” Genberg said. “So we were pretty lucky that it moved that quick and the winds worked in our favour.
“If the winds would have shifted, we would have been in big trouble, because the debris coming across the road was just unbelievable. It was like Armageddon with the wind.”
WATCH BELOW (Aired July 15, 2019): The B.C. Wildfire Service says so far so good on the wildfire front, but warns to still be careful.
The fire, which is believed to be lightning-caused, sparked to life on Wednesday. It quickly grew to 25 hectares that day, then to 60 hectares by Thursday.
It was listed as out of control on Friday, the same rating it had Thursday.
BC Wildfire Service said 41 firefighters battled the blaze on Thursday, and that 20 stayed on scene overnight. There was also air support, as planes dropped retardant on the fire.
The fire also caused a temporary closure of Highway 3.
More to come…
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