By James Peters / Greg Fry

Grass fire above Batchelor Heights ‘in hand’

Jun 21, 2018 | 6:15 PM

KAMLOOPS —UPDATE 8:00 p.m.: Fire crews have gotten a handle on tonight’s grass fire in Batchelor Heights.

Chief Fire Information Officer Kevin Skrepnek with the BC Wildfire Service says the fire reached 60 hectares in size but has “calmed down significantly.”

“There’s very little open flame, very little activity. Not really a lot of smoke left either.”

No word yet on what caused the fire but he says “a really robust response from the Kamloops Fire Department and BC Wildfire Service” helped put it down.

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As a result he says the plan is to start letting people back into their homes shortly adding “the situation is pretty well in hand at this point.”

UPDATE 7:45 p.m.: According to BC Hydro, power has been fully restored to the area.

UPDATE 7:40 p.m.: Tonight’s grass fire in Batchelor Heights has caused a fairly sizeable power outage in the area.

According to BC Hyrdo, there are just under 1,800 customers without power at the moment.

No word yet on when power will be restored.

UPDATED 7:15 p.m.: Tonight’s grassfire above Batchelor Heights has forced the evacuation of 12 homes.

Kamloops Fire Rescue Chief Mike Adams says those affected by the tactical evacuation have been sent to ‘comfort centres’ at McArthur Island.

As for the fire itself he says crews have been “working hard” and making “steady progress” on the blaze.

He says they’ve also received assistance from the BC Wildfire Service and partner agencies BC Ambulance, RCMP and city bylaw staff.

Adams had no information on possible damages to homes but did confirm there have been no injuries.

He could not confirm the size of the fire at this time.

UPDATED 6:40 p.m.: Kamloops Fire Rescue and the BC Wildfire Service are co-ordinating in an effort to contain a wildfire above Batchelor Heights.

The fire broke out around the dinner hour in hills just west of the neighbourhood.

It is burning perilously close to homes in the area.

So far, there has been no communication from local authorities as to possible evacuations.

6:15 p.m.: A grass fire has ignited above Batchelor Heights.

Smoke and flames can be seen throughout the city.

This story will be updated as more details are made available.

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