UPDATE: Wildfire burning west of Merritt grows to 28 hectares | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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UPDATE: Wildfire burning west of Merritt grows to 28 hectares

Original Publication Date July 21, 2020 - 10:27 AM

A wildfire burning west of Merritt along Highway 8 has grown to 28 hectares as it burns in steep and rocky terrain.

The Skuhun Creek fire was spotted yesterday, July 20, and is burning out of control, according to B.C. Wildfire Service. No structures are considered to be at risk at this time.

"There are two helicopters bucketing the fire, three unit crews and a fire origin and cause team for a total of 63 personnel on site,” fire information officer Madison SmithSmith says.

Ground crews are working to build a handguard by digging ahead of the blaze to remove fuel, and are pumping water to cool and suppress the fire, according to wildfire service post to Facebook today, July 21.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Skuhun Creek fire is seen burning west of Merritt along Highway 8, Tuesday, July 21, 2020 in this photo submitted by the B.C. Wildfire Service.
The Skuhun Creek fire is seen burning west of Merritt along Highway 8, Tuesday, July 21, 2020 in this photo submitted by the B.C. Wildfire Service.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED / B.C. Wildfire Service

— This story was updated at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2020 to include new information from B.C. Wildfire Service.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Jenna Wheeler or call (250) 819-6089 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.

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