New Monte Lake Fires Out

Highway 97 is open again between Vernon and Kamloops after being closed into last evening when new fires broke out at the south end of Monte Lake.

Four small fires broke out near the highway, one of them grew to 2 hectares in size.

BC Wildfire crews quickly jumped on them with ground and air crews.

Most were out by mid evening.

It’s not known what started the fires, but they are being investigated as human-caused.

Unlike the 150 hectare fore at the north end of Monte Lake, there’s no suggestion these were caused by a tossed cigarette.

The Wildfire Service won’t have an update until later this morning.

Photo of Monte Lake south fire site from Graham Turnbull