KAMLOOPS — UPDATE — Fire crews have largely contained a brush fire off the Trans Canada Highway near Cherry Creek.
The fire broke out Wednesday afternoon after a vehicle accident ignited grass in the area.
47 firefighters assisted by helicopters and fixed wing aircraft tackled the blaze.
By late last night, they had contained the blaze at 15 hectares.
A number of firefighters stayed on scene last night, and full crews will be back at it again this morning.
The fire is described this morning as a “smouldering ground fire” and while the danger is lessened, crews are keeping a close eye on things until it can be fully contained.
EARLIER — A crash off the Trans Canada Highway near Cherry Creek has started a large brush fire.
Emergency responders were called to the area around Cherry Road at about 3:40 p.m.
Initial calls stated a single vehicle had rolled into a field and ignited, causing the brush fire.
Kamloops Fire Rescue, the BC Ambulance Service and the BC Wildfire Service responded.
Fire Information Officer Jody Lucius says as of 5:00 p.m., the fire was estimated at 15 hectares in size.
“We do have 47 firefighters, a response officer, one helicopter and 11 fixed-wing aircraft on site or en route to the fire,” said Lucius. “We also have a couple of water tenders and a dozer headed out there.”
Traffic on the Trans Canada Highway was blocked in both directions until 7:30pm to allow fire crews to work, but has since re-opened to single lane alternating traffic.
It’s not known how badly injured the vehicle’s occupants are.
