(KIM ANDERSON / iNFOnews.ca)
September 07, 2019 - 12:02 PM
VERNON - Despite a risk of thunderstorms, cooler temperatures ahead are showing promise for wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre.
Fire information officer Taylor MacDonald said precipitation and cold weather goes a long way to mitigating fire risk.
“When we’re seeing cooler conditions overnight, it helps,” MacDonald said, noting that thunderstorms are also in the forecast. “We’ll just have to see how that will play out.”
According to the BC Wildfire Service, there are currently 20 wildfires burning in the area, many of which were ignited by recent thunderstorms.
One of the most visible fires in the area, MacDonald said, is the Mount Kathleen wildfire burning southwest of Peachland. More units are available as needed while a 30-member crew accompanied by two helicopters and two pieces of heavy equipment battle the blaze.
“Crews are just looking to establish some control on that,” MacDonald said of the 10-hectare fire.
Northeast of Penticton, the Kerr Creek wildfire is burning at 7-hectares. MacDonald said 25 personnel are responding to the fire alongside one piece of heavy equipment and three helicopters.
“We saw no overnight growth on that one due to cooler temperatures,” MacDonald said.
Both the Kerr Creek and Mount Kathleen fires are classified as out of control.
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