Firefighters continue to battle the The Richter Mountain fire West of Osoyoos. Dale Boyd/Osoyoos Times
Firefighters are going to once again work through the night to contain the Richter Mountain fire roughly 20 kilometers West of Osoyoos.
The fire started on July 24 and is suspected to be lightning-caused. Firefighters have been working around the clock since then, but dry conditions and winds have caused it to grow.
The fire is now estimated at 250 hectares on July 27, growing nearly four times the initial estimates Thursday.
According to Fire Information Officer with B.C. Wildfire, Nicole Bonnett, multiple helicopters are on scene and 67 personnel were working during the day Saturday. Air bombers are awaiting to assist if necessary. Gusts of wind on Saturday night have been working in favour of firefighters, blowing the blaze back up the mountain.
Highway 3 was re-opened Friday after being closed that morning in both directions due to the proximity of the fire.
The Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen issued an evacuation alert on July 26 for nine residences along Highway 3 and one on Chopaka Road.
