Winds pose challenge for suppression efforts at Petit Creek wildfire

Winds are posing a challenge for fire suppression efforts today at the Petit Creek wildfire northwest of Merritt.

The wildfire is still 100 hectares in size and is being held by B.C. Wildfire Service members, said B.C. Wildfire information officer Gagan Lidhran today, April 22.

The fire was first discovered Sunday, April 18.

READ MORE: Evacuation alerts lifted for homes near Merritt-area wildfire

There are 27 wildfire personnel on site and they continue to deliver water suppression efforts to the fire, she said.

"We are aware of the situation and are assessing the winds in the area and how this impacts fire behaviour and our crews are working around the high winds in the area," Lidhran said.

In Merritt, winds are out of the northwest and gusting to 32 km/hr, according to Environment Canada. Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 17 C.

Both evacuation alerts due to the fire in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District for the Miller Estates subdivision and Canford community have been rescinded.

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