An aerial view of the Long Loch and Derrickson Lake wildfires burning near Big White on June 30, 2021.
Image Credit: TWITTER / B.C. Wildfire Service
July 02, 2021 - 10:42 AM
The cooler weather today is helping B.C. Wildfire Service crews as they fight two blazes near Big White Ski Resort.
The Long Loch wildfire is still estimated to be six hectares in size and the Derickson Lake fire, roughly 18 kilometres from Big White Ski Resort, is roughly 1,300 hectares, fire information officer Taylor MacDonald said today, July 2.
Originally, the Long Loch fire, roughly 24 kilometres from Big White, was estimated to be 100 hectares but as the smoke decreased in the area the wildfire service has been able to better map the fire with the increased visibility. Both fires are burning in close proximity to one another.
“The smoke has definitely decreased over the past day and a bit… and so far that’s been really good for the crews, just for visibility in the area,” she said.
There are 18 firefighters battling the Long Loch fire, with assistance from two pieces of heavy equipment and a helicopter is being shared with crews on the Derickson Lake fire. There are 42 firefighters battling the Derickson Lake wildfire with six pieces of heavy equipment.
The Derickson Lake and Long Loch fires, June 30, 2021.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Gavin Crawford
Both blazes are still classified as out of control but firefighters are making good progress this morning as they work to establish a guard around the fires, MacDonald said.
A third smaller fire in the area which was two hectares in size yesterday, July 1, is now out, she said.
A heat warning is still in effect in the Okanagan but temperatures are cooling off, according to Environment Canada.
An air quality statement is also in effect for the Central and North Okanagan today due to wildfire smoke in the region.
READ MORE: Smoky skies loom over Kamloops
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