By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
An early reprieve from wildfires has now started to erode with a handful of wildfires in the Interior highlighting the rapid impact on the already dry landscape that a few days of hot and dry weather can have.
Earlier fires in the Tulameen area at Grasshopper Mountain and West Kelowna’s Kalamoir Park have since been either considered “Being Held” or “Under Control”.
Closer to home, a wildfire, listed as human caused, was discovered at Dutton Creek, approximately 6 km east of Vaseux Lake on Saturday, June 20. The BCWS deployed 13 BCWS firefighting personnel and two helicopters.
In an update on Sunday, June 21, the BC Wildfire Service said the fire is burning at Rank 1 (the lowest category out of six) and crews have established a 1.5 metre wet line around the perimeter of the fire.
The wildfire, estimated at 7.6 hectares in size, is now considered “Being Held”, meaning it is expected to remain within the current control line.
Dutton Creek wildfire: Photo overhead of rank 1 fire behaviour on Jun 20.
BCWS photo
Meanwhile a fire has been discovered on Sunday near Red Creek, northeast of Princeton and considered “Out of Control”. It too is suspected to have been caused by humans. No further information is available.
And the “Out of Control” Saw Creek wildfire just south of Lytton – which was razed by wildfire in 2021 – also continues to challenge firefighters with the suspected human caused wildfire now reaching 704 hectares in size. The wildfire was discovered on June 19 and two Evacuation Orders and five Evacuation Alerts are currently in place.
An Incident Management Team has been assigned to this wildfire and 135 BCWS firefighting personnel are assigned to this incident along with 9 helicopters and 47 structure protection personnel.
Lytton’s Saw Creek wildfire: Looking at south flank of the fire on June 20.
BCWS photo
In an update on Sunday June 21, the BCWS said fire activity decreased overnight Saturday due to cooler temperatures and light winds. Crews and structure protection personnel prioritized the protection and defense of structure in the fire area.
Fire crews and aircraft continue to focus efforts on securing the perimeter of the communities near this incident, the update read. “Crews are working along the north and south flanks of the fire to suppress active fire spread where it is safe to do so and establish control lines,” the BCWS said. The fire is currently burning Rank 1 – 3.
Lytton’s Saw Creek wildfire: Looking at north flank of the fire on June 20.
BCWS photo
“Today, June 21, temperatures are expected to be between the mid twenties to low thirties and relative humidity will trend lower, meaning there is the potential for fire activity to increase throughout the day. Light northeast winds are expected today,” BCWS said.
Hwy. 1 is closed between Boston Bar Station Rd and Cornwall Rd for 117.0 km with DriveBC advising drivers to use Hwy 5 and Hwy 97C as alternative routes. For more information visit visit DriveBC.
