Largest wildfire in the Kamloops Fire Centre region is still burning

Photo: Kamloops Fire Centre

UPDATE 3:55 p.m.

The Dry Lake wildfire remains classified as out of control but fire fighters have been able establish a full guard around the fire, which now sits at 21 hectares. 

"There still might be some work needed to be done, but we're making good progress in terms of getting that full perimeter wrapped off and hopefully working into the fire, and cooling off some of the hot spots," 

Fifty-one personnel, ten heavy equipment and 4 helicopters remain on scene. 

Nearby fires at Kump Lake and Larkin Lakes are both being handled by one crew and are currently being held. No anticipation of growth with those two.

ORIGINAL 11:48 a.m

The Dry Lake wildfire, the largest in the province, remains out of control. 

The BC Wildfire Service has declared the 22-hectare blaze a "fire of note."

The fire is burning approximately 24 kilometres northwest of Princeton above Highway 5A and was discovered on Sunday.

Fifty one personnel on site, three helicopters, three water tenders and 10 pieces of heavy equipment are currently on scene. 

The BC Kamloops Wildfire centre stated that cool temperatures last night and this morning are helping crews with suppression efforts today. 

“Definitely having cooler weather in the evening and this morning allows for us to be able to establish control lines quicker and allow for those fields to soak up that moisture as well,” said fire information officer Gagan Lidhran. 

The equipment efforts have made steady progress in their machine guard and crews are tackling the areas in steep sections.

Ground teams are working to establish control lines safely with helicopters tackling the hottest areas. 

Once the fire guard is completed, the team will “be able to actually control the fire.”

Firefighters will work their way into the fire to expand their water delivery system while also wrapping the fire in hose lay once it is safe, Lidhran said.

So far, 43 properties along Highway 5A between Allison Lake and Princeton have been placed on an evacuation alert. Updates on the evacuation alert can be found on the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen website.

The Solco Creek fire, which is east of Okanagan Falls, is still at 13.8 hectares in size, and classified as held. 26 personnel remain on site to patrol hot spots within the fire perimeter. 

The Campbell Creek forest service road fire remains under control at 0.4 Hectares.

“The fire has received sufficient suppression action to ensure no further spread,” Lidhran said.

Surrounding fires in the area are still considered spot fires and will be updated as their status progresses.