By James Peters

Elephant Hill fire holds steady

Aug 11, 2017 | 3:37 PM

KAMLOOPS — The largest fire in the Kamloops Fire Centre has held steady for most of this week, but crews are still hitting it hard.

The Elephant Hill fire is more than a month old.

After starting near Ashcroft, it has steadily grown and moved north and east, threatening communities like Clinton and Skeetchestn.

Fire Information Officer Noelle Kekula says hundreds of firefighters are trying to get a handle on the blaze.

“Crews are still actioning various parts of it through ground and air support, and the heavy equipment continues to build control lines on the east flank in anticipation of getting some burning operations to occur to strengthen up containment on that east flank.”

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At 117,000 hectares in size, Kekula says there has been little growth this week.

“It’s been creeping a little bit where we’re building those control lines. Between the perimeter and the control line we’re seeing a little bit of growth, but really the size hasn’t changed much in the last few days.”

People travelling through the area have consistently reported flare-ups within the perimeter to the Kamloops Fire Centre, but Kekula says that’s not necessary.

“It is an active fire. If you’re driving along Highway 97 or Highway 1, you may see flames. Crews know about it. It’s still burning unburned fuel within the fire. We have crews on it, we’re monitoring it, so don’t panic.”