‘No cause for concern,’ city says, as smoke from Boston Bar-area wildfire drifts into Kamloops

The City of Kamloops says in the event of an emergency in the local area, it will use Voyent Alert to alert residents.

The Boston Bar fire department is responding, while the BC Wildfire Service has dispatched three initial attack crews, two unit crews, and two response officers. While there are three helicopters and heavy equipment also responding, the BC Wildfire Service noted aerial response has been limited at times due to weather and terrain.

“Our aviation support made good progress overnight bucketing at the head of the fire and continue to support our ground crews today,” the BC Wildfire Service added. “Crews today are working along the north and south flanks of the fire, with heavy equipment working on guard to the west of the fire.”

The BC Wildfire Service also noted a break in the weather and smoke Sunday allowed crews to get a more accurate track of the fire. It noted the change in size – from the previous estimate of 14 hectares – is the result of more accurate tracking, and not an increase in fire behaviour.

That said, strong wind gusts Sunday may impact fire behaviour, which at the last update was burning rank 1-2 (a low smouldering ground fire, to a low-vigour surface fire.)

The suspected human caused fire is located west of the Canadian Pacific rail line. While Chaumox Road has been closed, the fire is not expected to impact the Trans-Canada Highway, which is on the opposite bank of the Fraser River.

Numerous other fires also burning

A handful of smaller lighting caused fires – North Ainsley, South Ainsley 1 and South Ainsley 2 – are also burning east of the Trans-Canada Highway between Boston Bar and Boothroyd.

Further north, the 100 hectare Big Bar Creek wildfire is burning out of control in steep and rocky terrain approximately 1.5 kilometres west of the Fraser River. A cause is not currently known, but an initial attack crew and a response officer have been dispatched.

This fire is mainly burning Rank 2 and Rank 3, meaning a low to moderately vigorous surface fire.

“Increased smoke is likely to be observed due to elevated winds and warm conditions,” the BC Wildfire Service added.

Firefighters are also keeping watch on the 50 hectare Riley Creek fire south of Lillooet, which has been burning for the past week. The 663 hectare Saw Creek fire near Lytton is also still burning, but it has been listed as under control since June 23.

by Victor Kaisar

‘No cause for concern,’ city says, as smoke from Boston Bar-area wildfire drifts into Kamloops

Numerous other fires also burning

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