Controlled burns in Monte Lake, residents not in immediate danger
KAMLOOPS — The B.C. Wildfire Service is trying to get a handle on the White Rock Lake fire burning south of Kamloops.
As of Friday morning, it’s mapped at 58,000 hectares and burning close to properties along Okanagan Lake. Closer to home, the wildfire service has been conducting controlled ignitions to help prevent fire spread towards Monte Creek and back to Kamloops.
During a helicopter ride around the fire on Thursday (Aug. 12), the wildfire service pointed out the controlled ignitions that are taking place along the northeast flank of the fire near Monte Lake. The goal is to burn off fuels to the north of the fire perimetre to prevent further spread.
“That will push the fire back into itself once we do that in a controlled fashion. There’s been multiple crews and resources allocated up there,” noted Incident Commander of the White Rock Lake fire Mark Healey. “When we do planned ignitions, the fire is relatively close to where we’re doing the ignitions and to our control lines. We don’t do a planned ignition that is kilometres and kilometres ahead of a fire.”
