File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Wildfire Watch

Wildfire north of Merritt measured at around 10 hectares after smoke clears

Jul 15, 2024 | 6:30 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — A wildfire nearly eight kilometres north of the City of Merritt has grown to 10 hectares in size.

In an update Sunday (July 14) evening, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the Upper Jesse Creek wildfire’s size was updated to 10 hectares once smoke dissipated and visibility on the site improved.

The out-of-control wildfire was discovered Sunday afternoon and is suspected to be caused by lightning. Although the BCWS says the Jesse Creek wildfire is showing Rank 1 and 2 fire behaviour, meaning it’s a smouldering ground fire with some visible, open flames. It also has a slow rate of spread.

The BCWS is responding with three initial attack crews, two helicopters, a group of skimmers, a bulldozer and three water tenders.

Meantime, six wildfires west of Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon that are suspected to be caused by lightning remain out of control.

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A wildfire nearly two kilometres south of Stein Valley west of Lytton is at 1.5 hectares.

Two wildfires are north of Spences Bridge: an 11-hectare fire nearly 5.5 kilometres away and a two-hectare fire nearly 7.5 kilometres away. A 0.1-hectare spot fire is burning west of the community.

A wildfire nearly 18 kilometres southwest of Ashcroft is measured at around 2.3 hectares in size. Further west, beyond Blue Earth Lake Park, a one-hectare wildfire is burning at Pocock Creek.

The BCWS map online shows 11 active wildfires within the Kamloops Fire Centre. Seven are out of control and four are under control.

As of Sunday, the BCWS says the fire danger rating in the Kamloops Fire Centre is mostly high.

Image credit: BC Wildfire Service