FILE PHOTO

(ASHLEY LEGASSIC - REPORTER / iNFOnews.ca)

The B.C. Wildfire Service is reporting 19 wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre, and may see more this weekend with lightning in the forecast.

The largest wildfire, Christie Mountain, located six kilometres north of Okanagan Falls, is currently estimated at 2,000 hectares in size. The fire's close proximity to Penticton residents caused an evacuation alert and some orders have been issued for residents in the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen. One home has already been lost and firefighters are preparing today for strong winds in the forecast.

It's the only fire near threatening homes and other structures.

“There is a chance of thunderstorms tonight so we’re not sure if we’ll pick up any more from that,” said wildfire information officer Kyla Fraser.

READ MORE: Drivers warned not to stop on highway to view Penticton wildfire

Two small wildfires burning northeast of Sicamous, near Malakwa, are still classified as out of control, according to the Wildfire Service’s interactive map. They’re two hectares or less in size.

Yesterday, wildfire crews were sharing resources because they were in such close proximity to one another. Firefighters took a modified response because it’s a slide area for the smaller fire, called Crazy Creek #2,  she said.

Another fire to the east of Salmon Arm, north of Sugar Lake, is estimated at two hectares and is classified as out of control. A repel team will be on site today for that fire, Fraser said.

A 36-hectare fire located to the northeast of Kamloops, near Barriere Pass, and a fire south of Lillooet  near Laluwissin Creek at 10 hectares, are currently being held.

Yesterday, 12 firefighters were on scene for the Laluwissin Creek fire, Fraser said.

For the Barriere Pass fire, 40 personnel were on site yesterday with two helicopters and some rain helped prevent the fire’s growth with the cooler temperatures, Fraser said.

View the Wildfire Service map to see more details on the wildfires.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2020