Times-Chronicle Staff
The Nk’Mip Creek fire continues to grow on the north and northeastern flanks as a result of overnight winds and dry conditions.
An update from BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) indicates these challenging conditions are expected to increase fire behaviour, but personnel are determined to protect life and property.
Today, the weather will remain hot and dry, with strong venting conditions throughout the burning period. Winds are anticipated to be variable and driven by daytime heating, topography and fire behaviour.
The BCWS reports that temperatures will be around 38 degrees Celsius in valley bottoms, 35 degrees Celsius in higher upslope areas, with relative humidity values of approximately 15 per cent. This trend is expected to continue overnight, though the forecast for tomorrow may bring some reprieve with cooler temperatures, higher minimum relative humidity, and a chance of showers.
Operational update
Firefighting personnel and heavy equipment remained on site overnight to protect structures in/near the Shrike Hill subdivision.
Crews continue to assess and fall danger trees on the north side of the fire as they’ve done over recent days. Crews will continue to patrol and mop up around residential areas near McKinney Road, Nk’Mip Road and Shrike Hill, burning off any unburnt fuel and reinforcing existing guards and extinguishing hotspots.
“By removing available fuels from within home ignition zones and around facilities, fires are less likely to impact interface areas,” the BCWS said.
In areas northeast of the fire including Mt. Baldy Resort, personnel will continue with structural protection and FireSmart activities on properties around the resort. Heavy equipment remains on site and is continuing the construction and reinforcement of guards to the southeast of Mt. Baldy Resort and the McKinney Nordic Ski Club.
Crews are also continuing structure protection near the Anarchist Mountain community. Patrols and mop up continue on the fire’s southern perimeter. Heavy equipment will be strengthening and widening guards on the southeast and eastern flanks.
The are currently 186 firefighters working this fire, with five helicopters and 14 pieces of heavy equipment.
An Incident Management Team, 46 structure personnel and other support positions are supporting efforts on the fire. The total number of personnel is 250.
