File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Adel Ahmed

Wildfire Situation

Lightning suspected to have caused new wildfire east of Merritt

Jul 21, 2023 | 5:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — A wildfire that started Thursday (July 20) near Merritt has increased in size as of Friday morning.

The wildfire at Quilchena Creek is located west of Highway 97C. The B.C. Wildfire Service first reported the blaze just after 6:40 p.m. Thursday. It was listed at 4.4 hectares but has since increased to 7.1 as of 9:49 a.m. Friday.

“We do have one initial attack crew who is on scene and actioning that fire today in addition to some aerial support from a helicopter who is doing bucketing on site as well,” Information Officer with the Kamloops Fire Centre Melanie Bibeau told CFJC Today.

The Kamloops Fire Centre suspects lightning to be the cause behind the wildfire. Bibeau says it’s too early to tell if the fire will spread.

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“It would be completely dependent on temperatures that we see and any relative humidity that we also see during the day and recoveries overnight.”