Wildfire season appears to have begun in earnest, with BC Wildfire Service crews deployed to multiple new fires in several parts of the province.
Crews were called mid-day to a new fire burning just 7.5 kilometres west of Kamloops on Monday.
The Polygon Pond fire was measured at 4.57 hectares in size, and is giving off smoke highly visible from Highway 1, Highway 5 and surrounding areas.
The fire is burning adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway, and is expected to affect traffic, the wildfire service said.
“Ground personnel and a helicopter are on site and air tankers are en route. Kamloops Fire Rescue and New Afton Fire Services are assisting our crews,” the service said.
- ‘It’s nice to be the villain’: Vancouver Canucks gear up for Game 3 in Nashville
- ‘Why aren’t we doing more?’ White Rock on edge with killer on the loose
- Joffre Lakes to close for 3 periods this year under agreement with First Nations
- B.C. carjacking victim says she doesn’t trust the ‘catch-and-release’ system
Drivers in the area are urged to monitor DriveBC for updates on the status of Highway 1.
Crews were also called to a pair of remote fires in the Coastal Fire Centre. The lightning-caused Southgate River fire, near the northeastern tip of Bute Inlet in the Sunshine Coast Zone was 208 hectares in size as of Monday afternoon.
About 4.7 kilometres southeast of that fire, the S Elliot Drainage Fire was also burning out of control at 16.5 hectares.
The wildfire service said both fires were being managed as a single complex, and 20 firefighters, five helicopters and support from industry had been deployed.
“Smoke is visible in parts of Vancouver Island, including Campbell River and Courtney. Smoke has also been traveling north and east of the fires’ locations, depending on the prevailing winds,” the service said.
In the Kootenays, crews were called to the Briggs Creek fire, about 11.5 kilometres west of Kaslo.
The fire had grown to 386 hectares in size by Monday evening, and was “highly vigorous,” the wildfire service said.
The fire was highly visible from Kaslo, but not immediately threatening any structures, the wildfire service said.
Earlier in the day, the wildfire service announced a campfire ban would take effect in the Kamloops fire centre at noon on Thursday.
Comments