This story has been updated here.
The Keremeos Creek wildfire which began on Friday, July 29 north of Olalla has more than quadrupled in size in one day according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
As of 6 p.m. on July 30 the fire which is also five km southeast of Apex Mountain Resort has enlarged to 430 hectares from 100 hectares on Friday and 150 hectares on Saturday morning.
The fire was identified on Friday along with a number of others in the Kamloops Fire Centre region after lightning strikes occurred across the Southern Interior. The fire’s cause has not been determined.
This updated size can be attributed to “aggressive fire behaviour was observed today, and more accurate tracking of the fire conducted from the air,” the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said in an update Saturday afternoon.
The BCWS says there are currently over 45 personnel on site, along with four helicopters, structure protection personnel and multiple fire department apparatus from local fire departments. Initial attack, unit crew and parattack personnel arrived earlier today (Saturday).
Structure protection has been deployed to properties in the immediate vicinity of the wildfire, with support from multiple local fire departments.
Ten personnel will remain on the ground overnight, it added. The fire’s cause is currently unknown.
Keremeos Creek Wildfire is now over 400 hectares in size. BC Wildfire Service photo
Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen confirmed that one building was lost, with the BCWS describing it as a cabin.
As a result, the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) issued an evacuation alert and an evacuation order on Friday night impacting some 25 buildings in the following areas: Green Mountain Road between Highway 3A to the south and Apex Mountain Road to the north and in the general vicinity of Ford Lake; and the north end of Sheep Creek Road.
Another 350 properties have been put on Evacuation Alert by the RDOS.
“An Evacuation Alert has been issued to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be found necessary,” the RDOS said warning that much advance notice as possible will be issued prior to evacuation, but changing conditions may reduce the warning time.
Smoke from the Keremeos Creek Wildfire is visible from Osoyoos as of Friday night. This photo shows the smoke across the valley from just north of Osoyoos Lake . Don Urquhart photo
