More Containment On Region’s Largest Fire

Crews continue to make progress on the largest fire burning in the Kamloops Fire Centre.

The Elephant Hill Fire, north of Cache Creek, has not grown over the last few days.

“There is continued progress, I’m happy to say,” said Kevin Skrepnek from the BC Wildfire Service. “The size is static, 168-thusand hectares and now 35% contained. It’s active, but within containment lines at this point.”

Skrepnek says the number of active fires is at 134, with four new fires since Monday.

While new fire activity has died down of late in BC with just four new fires since Monday —  officials are asking the public to stay vigilant.

Skrepnek says the ongoing dry conditions are a cause for concern.

“This is still a very volatile situation. We are still seeing activity out there that is indicative of continued dryness at the deeper layers. We haven’t had that sustained rain event to really bring moisture into that, so continued vigilance on the part of the public,” says Skrepnek.

Other than a slight chance of showers on Thursday, there is no rain in the Okanagan forecast until at least early next week.

Hundreds of firefighters are getting some help from Mother Nature as they work to get a handle on BC’s largest ever wildfire.

The Plateau Fire west of Quesnel is 467-thousand hectares, and was previously 19 smaller fires than merged into one.

Skrepnek says there’s a good chance of showers in that area.

“Not much growth on this fire.The size is the same as yesterday.The activity is certainly generating smoke but we’re seeing limited spread, so that’s good news. It’s been a combination of a lot of hard work on the ground and much more cooperative weather.”

Plateau is one of 134 fires in BC, in what has been BC’s worst fire season in terms of hectares burned, since records started in 1912.

Photo of Elephant Hill fire courtesy of CFJC Today