Weekend wind, heat intensified wildfires north of Kamloops

Wildfires near Adams Lake in the Shuswap intensified and sent smoke plumes high into the sky yesterday.

The Bush Creek East wildfire reached 165 hectares yesterday, July 16, as it was pushed by wind gusts as fast as 60 km/h, BC Wildfire Service fire information officer Taylor Wallace said.

Smoke from the blaze was visible from Sun Peaks and the Shuswap Lake area on Sunday.

It remains out of control as ground crews and water tankers try to tame the blaze today.

Wallace said 34 personnel are on the scene, with heavy equipment, water tenders and a helicopter. She added aerial water tankers will be on the scene when needed.

There are no structures or infrastructure in the area threatened by the fire, she said.

The same is true for a 25-hectare fire across Adams Lake to the east, which also remains out of control.

Both fires were discovered on July 12 and are suspected to be lightning caused.

@Kamscan that was almost 2 hours ago. It's bigger now. pic.twitter.com/BKCuf8kuwz

— Katia (@SuperKat01) July 16, 2023

To the southwest, another wildfire closer to Kamloops is being held at 71 hectares, according to the wildfire service.

The Upper Cold Creek wildfire was also discovered July 12. It's less than seven kilometres from Heffley Creek, but has not increased in size since July 13.

The weather is forecast to be cooler today with a high of 23C and a 20 km/h wind, according to Environment Canada.

The wind and heat may not intensify fires as they did yesterday, but there is a chance of thunderstorms in the Kamloops area today.

While the southern Interior hasn't been largely impacted by wildfires so far this year, this summer has been one of the worst years on record by hectares burned.

The federal government is sending two military reconnaissance teams to the province, with a "land force team" in Prince George and an air force team at the BC Wildfire Kamloops headquarters.

BC's Emergency Management Ministry said the teams will conduct assessments to inform future federal resource deployments.

— With files from The Canadian Press.

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