UPDATE: Wildfire burning west of Merritt grows to 28 hectares

A wildfire burning west of Merritt along Highway 8 has grown to 28 hectares as it burns in steep and rocky terrain.

The Skuhun Creek fire was spotted yesterday, July 20, and is burning out of control, according to B.C. Wildfire Service. No structures are considered to be at risk at this time.

"There are two helicopters bucketing the fire, three unit crews and a fire origin and cause team for a total of 63 personnel on site,” fire information officer Madison SmithSmith says.

Ground crews are working to build a handguard by digging ahead of the blaze to remove fuel, and are pumping water to cool and suppress the fire, according to wildfire service post to Facebook today, July 21.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

— This story was updated at 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2020 to include new information from B.C. Wildfire Service.

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