Showers reduce fire behaviour on 270-hectare Watching Creek wildfire

KAMLOOPS – The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) reports that 10 milimetres of heavy showers Thursday (Aug. 4) has reduced fire behaviour on the Watching Creek wildfire.

In an update Friday (Aug. 5) morning, BCWS says while the weather is expected to be slightly warmer than the previous two days, fire behaviour is still expected to remain low for the blaze nearly 16 kilometres northwest of Kamloops.

The Watching Creek wildfire is now measured at 270 hectares, an increase from 195 on Thursday. BCWS says the previous size was based on an estimate and a more accurate perimeter track has since been collected. The service adds there’s been no significant growth since Tuesday (Aug. 2).

BCWS says they’ve established access in the steep terrain to allow crews to work directly on the western flank of the fire. Crews are also continuing work to establish a water delivery system and mop-up the northeast corner of the fire. Heavy equipment has managed to complete a guard on part of the eastern flank.