Update: Hwy 1 Reopens In Fire Area

Update: 2 pm

Highway 1 has reopened in the area of the Kault Hill Fire 10 kilometres west of Salmon Arm.

The fire is now 2 hectares in size and is creating access issues due to its location in steep rocky terrain.

Jody Lucius from the BC Wildfire Service tells Kiss FM, 10 personnel and one helicopter are working on the blaze which started near the highway Sunday morning , with the cause under investigation.

“We did have air tankers and skimmers on it, but they have since been called off,” says Lucius.

There are homes in the general area, but none are threatened at this time.

(Update by Pete McIntyre)

BC Wildfire Service has confirmed a small wildfire has broken out between Salmon Arm and Tappen forcing the closure of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Rachel Witt, Fire Information Officer tells KISS-FM News, the fire is less that a half a hectare in size and is burning at the bottom of Kault Hill between Highway 1 and the rail line and no buildings are threatened.

She said air tankers and skimmers are fighting the fire from overhead, but it is burning in steep terrain, making it difficult for the 7 ground crew members on scene to get close.

Drive BC reports the highway is closed 10 kilometres west of Salmon Arm in both directions with no estimate as to when the highway will reopen.

Image credit: Facebook/Tanja Poschl