The Tremont Creek wildfire, Aug. 3, 2021.

(CARLI BERRY / iNFOnews.ca)

Cooler temperatures are helping firefighters combat a wildfire that’s slowly burning towards Savona.

The Tremont Creek wildfire, mapped at 30,606 hectares, did not see significant growth overnight. The fire has progressed to the northern aspect of Mount Savona, said Luke Robinson, B.C. Wildfire Service information officer.

“We’re not seeing much flame heights or anything like that at the moment so it’s just slowly burning down the hill,” Robinson said.

Cooler temperatures have helped firefighters on both the Sparks Lake fire, burning to the north of Kamloops Lake, and Tremont Creek wildfire but crews are still seeing stronger winds coming through the Kamloops region, he said.

“Guards are currently being built along the power lines next to Tunkwa Lake road, down to and including Haywood Farmer Road. The northern flank of the fire from Barnes Lake to Walhachin continues to show very minimal to no fire activity.

“Patrolling for hot spots in the west and north flanks will also continue today. Planned hand and aerial ignitions will occur over the coming days in the north east when conditions allow. These will most likely commence during a night shift,” according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.

Guards are being established around the north and eastern sides of Mount Savona to bring the fire under control, Robinson said.

“Large air tankers placed retardant lines to protect critical infrastructure on Mount Savona and were successful,” according to the service.

Planned ignitions will occur with cooler temperatures, high humidity and if the winds blow in a direction away from guard lines, he said.

There are 91 firefighters, seven helicopters and 35 pieces of heavy equipment on site today and resources are also being shared with those working on the Sparks Lake wildfire.

The Ashcroft Indian Band and the Village of Ashcroft have issued evacuation alerts as a precaution while the Oregon Jack Creek Indian Band remains under an evacuation order.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has issued evacuation orders and alerts for properties in Electoral Area I and Electoral Area J. An evacuation order has been downgraded to an evacuation alert for properties in Walhachin. A portion of the evacuation order der issued near Barnes Lake in Electoral Area I has also been downgraded to an alert. For more information visit the TNRD website.

The District of Logan Lake is still on evacuation alert.

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