Out of control wildfire near Merritt now over 800 ha

A wildfire in the Merritt area is out of control and has grown to an estimated 839 hectares.

The BC Wildfire Service is on the scene with 27 firefighters and helicopter support for gear and water delivery, according to a wildfire service tweet.

The Quilchena Creek fire, about 20 kilometres to the east of Merritt, was initially discovered on April 4 and was around 300 hectares in size yesterday.

Wildfire investigators have been deployed to the scene, but currently they suspect the blaze to be human caused.

"Crews working on the southeast flank… are being supported by helicopter bucketing operations," the BC Wildfire Service said in the tweet.

Crews used "small scale hand ignitions" on the north flank today, April 6, in an effort to contain the fire.

There are currently eight other active wildfires in the Kamloops region, but most remain are under control and none are over 100 hectares in size.

The BC Wildfire Service is continuing to respond to the Quilchena Creek wildfire (K60064) that was initially reported on Sunday April 4, 2021. The fire is located approximately 20 kilometers east of Merritt and is currently estimated at 839 hectares in size. pic.twitter.com/lY3umPV0qx

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) April 6, 2021

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