File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Wildfire Picture

Massive Tremont Creek, Sparks Lake wildfires both ‘being held’: B.C. Wildfire Service

Aug 26, 2021 | 10:51 AM

KAMLOOPS — There has been a major positive development for the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) in its battle against two of the largest fires in the province, both located not far from Kamloops.

In updates posted Thursday morning (Aug. 26), BCWS says both the Tremont Creek and Sparks Lake wildfires are ‘being held.’

BCWS classifies fires in four states of control: out of control, being held, under control and out. Classifying these two fires as ‘being held’ means “sufficient suppression action has been taken that the fire is not likely to spread beyond existing or predetermined boundaries under the prevailing and forecasted conditions.”

All evacuation orders related to the two fires have been rescinded to either alert status or all clear. BCWS says they will no longer be considered ‘Wildfires of Note’.

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Even so, BCWS says this does not mean the fires have been completely snuffed out.

“Just because the status has changed, doesn’t mean that the fire is extinguished. It’s not,” said Fire Information Officer Greg Jonuk. “It’s still burning in the Interior the fire, in fact, nearby communities may see smoke within the fires perimeter over the next few weeks still.”

The Tremont Creek wildfire was discovered just east of Ashcroft on July 12. It eventually grew to 63,523 hectares.

The Sparks Lake wildfire first broke out northwest of Kamloops on June 28. The blaze grew quickly and, for the majority of the fire season, it was the largest in the province. As of Thursday, it measured 89,626 hectares.