File photo.
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
July 29, 2021 - 1:30 PM
The Tremont Creek wildfire has seen minimal activity on the north portion toward Walhachin, but the southwest corner continues to put Highway 97C at risk.
The highway remains open to traffic, but B.C. Wildfire Service expects growth in the area, especially on the southeast perimeter of the wildfire.
The wildfire is near Highway 97C between Highland Valley Copper Mine and Mesa Vista Drive, leaving over 41 kilometres of limited visibility due to smoke, according to DriveBC.
The Tremont Creek wildfire has grown to about 19,772 hectares as of July 29. It was first discovered on July 12.
On the southwest corner, near Barnes Lake and the highway, crews will continue planned ignitions between the fire guard and encroaching flames. Heavy equipment and helicopters are being used to build machine guards on the southern perimeters of the fire, but southeast wildfire growth is challenging those efforts.
The wildfire service is using helicopters where possible to slow its spread in an effort to support crews building fire guards.
Evacuation orders remain in place for Thompson Nicola Regional District properties near the fire, along with the Oregon Jack Creek Indian Band. While alerts remain in place in Ashcroft and the Ashcroft Indian Band.
Evacuation orders for 60 properties in Walhachin were downgraded to an alert on July 26.
The wildfire service currently has 50 firefighters at the Tremont Creek wildfire, with assistance from other local departments, including Ashcroft Fire Department.
There are 33 heavy equipment units, with seven helicopters on scene to bucket water on hot spots.
Go here for more evacuation and emergency services updates from the Thompson Nicola Regional District.
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