UPDATE: Kamloops grassfire burns to within metres of homes | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kamloops News

UPDATE: Kamloops grassfire burns to within metres of homes

The Batchelor Heights grassfire is seen from the air in this photo submitted by B.C. Wildfire, Thursday, June 21, 2018.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/B.C. Wildfire
Original Publication Date June 21, 2018 - 6:29 PM

KAMLOOPS - Firefighters are starting to get a handle on a highly visible interface wildfire burning in the Batchelor Heights area of Kamloops.

Flames and smoke from the 60 hectare grassfire that broke out earlier this evening, June 21, were clearly visible from the city.

The residents evacuated from 12 homes in Batchelor Heights have already been told they may return home, according to a media release from the City of Kamloops.

B.C. Wildfire Service spokesman Kevin Skrepnek says more than 40 wildfire service and Kamloops firefighters were assigned to the blaze, backed by a number of air tankers dropping retardant. The fire fburned within metres of the 12 evacuated homes.

Kamloops fire chief Mike Adams says says they are hopeful the weather will cooperate, and the wind will die down, to help slow down the fire.

He says it is too early to determine the cause of the fire.

"It's too early to speculate, but we had the lightning storm come through here and then the report of the grassfire followed shortly after," he says.

Social media is lighting up with photos and video from the wildfire.

— With files from The Canadian Press

A wildfire burning north of Kamloops, Thursday, June 21, 2018.
A wildfire burning north of Kamloops, Thursday, June 21, 2018.

— This story was updated at 7:36 p.m., Thursday, June 21, 2018 with information from Kamloops Fire Resue.

— This story was updated at 7:42 p.m., Thursday, June 21, 2018 with new information from the City of Kamloops. 


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