UPDATE: Merritt-area grass fire balloons to 550 hectares in size

MERRITT, B.C. — (UPDATE 4:45 p.m.): A wildfire that ignited east of Merritt on Wednesday (April 8) afternoon is no longer being held, and it has ballooned to 550 hectares in size.

There are 18 BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) personnel responding to the Quilchena Creek blaze on the Lower Nicola Indian Band’s Hamilton Creek Indian Reserve No. 7. It was listed as being held earlier this morning, but reclassified as being out of control in an update just before 4:00 p.m.

“The increase in fire growth is not attributed to fire behavior or suppression actions taken by firefighters, a short statement from the BC Wildfire Service said. “BCWS staff are working with Lower Nicola Indian Band and the Lower Nicola Indian Band Fire Department in response to this increase in fire size.”

The fire is believed to be human caused, though specific details on what sparked it are not yet available.