Drop in temperatures helping crews battle wildfires burning out of control near Big White

The cooler weather today is helping B.C. Wildfire Service crews as they fight two blazes near Big White Ski Resort.

The Long Loch wildfire is still estimated to be six hectares in size and the Derickson Lake fire, roughly 18 kilometres from Big White Ski Resort, is roughly 1,300 hectares, fire information officer Taylor MacDonald said today, July 2.

Originally, the Long Loch fire, roughly 24 kilometres from Big White, was estimated to be 100 hectares but as the smoke decreased in the area the wildfire service has been able to better map the fire with the increased visibility. Both fires are burning in close proximity to one another.

“The smoke has definitely decreased over the past day and a bit… and so far that’s been really good for the crews, just for visibility in the area,” she said.

There are 18 firefighters battling the Long Loch fire, with assistance from two pieces of heavy equipment and a helicopter is being shared with crews on the Derickson Lake fire. There are 42 firefighters battling the Derickson Lake wildfire with six pieces of heavy equipment.

Both blazes are still classified as out of control but firefighters are making good progress this morning as they work to establish a guard around the fires, MacDonald said.

A third smaller fire in the area which was two hectares in size yesterday, July 1, is now out, she said.

A heat warning is still in effect in the Okanagan but temperatures are cooling off, according to Environment Canada.

An air quality statement is also in effect for the Central and North Okanagan today due to wildfire smoke in the region.

READ MORE: Smoky skies loom over Kamloops

To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.