Richter Creek fire near Osoyoos now at 250 hectares

PENTICTON – The Richter Creek wildfire continues to burn out of control today and remains the only wildfire of note in the Kamloops fire centre.

The South Okanagan’s first wildfire of the season started quickly and grew fast.

The fire, which broke out in the Richter Pass area around 12 km west of Osoyoos yesterday afternoon, May 13, has grown to 250 ha since then.

B.C. Wildfire currently has 40 firefighters and two helicopters working the fire with additional personnel expected to arrive this afternoon.

The fire was apparently caused when a vehicle fire spread to grass.

Although not considered an interface fire, it has resulted in the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen issuing an evacuation alert for a single property located at 25451 Highway 3.

Fire information officer Hannah Swift says cooler temperatures and a chance of precipitation is forecast for the area.

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