Loss of buildings

UPDATED 3 P.M.

Fire behaviour in and around the Rock Creek Wildfire has decreased from what it was yesterday and earlier in the day Friday. That according to Southeast Fire District fire information officer Jordan Turner.

The fire, reported yesterday after, officially remains at 2,500 hectares in size however, Jordan said accurate mapping of the fire can't be done due to the amount of smoke in the area.

Turner did again confirm structures have been lost including some homes but a complete list of numbers won't be know until it is safe for personnel to get into the areas.

Winds are calm at the moment but the potential for thunderstorms later in the day still remains. Turner expects strong winds to accompany those storms.

At the moment four helicopters are working the fire and air tankers are being used as needed. On the ground 80 provincial firefighters are on scene with more on the way.

Several local fire departments have also sent crews and equipment. They are mainly responsible for protecting properties.

UPDATED: 12:40 P.M.

Earlier reports of destroyed houses have now been confirmed by the BC Wildfire Service. 

Fanny Bernard, fire information officer, confirmed early Friday afternoon there have been structures destroyed by the wildfire, but she couldn't say how many or whereabouts the buildings were. 

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UPDATED: 10:25 A.M.

The latest size estimate for the Rock Creek wildfire is 2,500 hectares, according to Fanny Bernard, fire information officer. 

This is nearly double the estimate of 1,300 hectares from this morning. Bernard said the majority of the fire's growth has been to the east and to the west, but she didn't know how close to the town of Rock Creek the fire has moved. 

Bernard still could not confirm the loss of any structures, despite reports from residents that buildings have been lost.

Lightning has begun to strike the area, bringing with it heavier winds, and minimal rain, which could prove dangerous.

There are 76 BC Forest Service firefighters tackling the blaze, along with four helicopters and an air tanker on standby.

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UPDATED: 9:32 A.M.

At least one home has been lost to the Rock Creek wildfire overnight, according to a man who wished to remain anonymous.

The man, who identified himself as close to the owner the Rock Creek Riverside Campground, said the Kettle River property has been razed. 

"His whole property and house and barns and everything is gone," he said. "It's a terrible, terrible time out there ... there's definitely been houses lost, for sure.

"I just wanted to let the public know that there's havoc going on, people are losing their shirts out there."

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ORIGINAL: 8:41 A.M.

The Rock Creek wildfire did not slow down overnight, nearly doubling in size.

The fire is now estimated at 1,300 hectares and continues to grow rapidly. It is completely uncontained. Earlier reports had the fire at 2,000 hectares, but the estimate was provisionary due to the thick smoke obscuring the blaze.

There is a severe thunderstorm watch in effect in the area, which is expected to bring heavy rain as well as lightning.

This could also bring high winds to the area, which could fan the flames more than they already have been.

Sixty firefighters will be joined by three four-man initial attack crews, four officers and air support from helicopters and air tankers to fight the fire today. 

There have been unconfirmed reports that houses were lost to the fire last night. 

The Kettle River provincial campground was evacuated, and the fire quickly tore through it, burning abandoned vehicles, RVs and tents. 

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

More information will follow as it becomes available.