UPDATE: July 6
An outbuilding and a vehicle were the lone casualties of a grassfire in Cherry Creek on Wednesday.
One residence was also damaged by the 15-hectare blaze that began after a single-vehicle accident on Highway 1 west of Kamloops, but the home was not destroyed.
The fire was still estimated at 15 hectares in size at 9:45 p.m. Wednesday when 26 firefighters were on scene. The B.C. Wildfire Service is expected to return to the fire on Thursday morning, though firefighters will remain on scene overnight.
“Things have quieted down,” said fire information officer Justine Hunse, who classified the fire as a Rank 1 — a smouldering ground fire.
The Trans-Canada Highway reopened in both directions on Wednesday evening after being closed due to the fire that originally prompted the response of 47 firefighters, a a bulldozer, water tenders, one rotary-wing aircraft and 11 fixed-wing aircraft.
There remains full response to the fire, though the danger appears to have decreased.
Hunse did not have information about any other homes in danger.
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A fast-moving grass fire in Cherry Creek has reportedly burned a pair of buildings and forced the closure of the Trans Canada Highway west of Kamloops.
The fire, apparently caused by a vehicle accident on Wednesday afternoon, has prompted air response from the B.C. Wildfire Service as it nears homes in the rural area west of Kamloops.
“It is estimated at 15 hectares in size currently,” said fire information officer Jody Lucius.
“We do have 47 firefighters, a response officer, one rotary-wing aircraft and 11 fixed-wing aircrafts either on site or en route. We’re also sending a couple water tenders and a dozer out.”
Asked about the size of the response, Lucius said it was due to the location of the fire.
“There are some residences in the area, so we are under full response.”
The highway now closed connects Kamloops to Savona and, farther west, Cache Creek. There is no time estimate for when it will be reopened.
Smoke is visible from Kamloops, Highway 1 and Highway 5.
“At this time, we believe it’s within our jurisdiction,” Lucius said.
“The Kamloops fire department, as well as emergency services, are on site as well.”
