Wildfire burning near Coquihalla sees some growth

A wildfire burning next to the Coquihalla Highway has grown but fire crews have been unable to map its size due to smoke.

The July Mountain fire is still estimated at 1,267 ha but it has grown, said B.C. Wildfire Service information officer Shaylee Stearns. 

The fire is still classified as out of control and is burning roughly one kilometre west of Highway 5, 45 km southwest of Merritt.

The fire has not jumped the highway and according to Stearns latest information she received last night, it is not threatening the highway.

The wildfire is highly visible from the highway but Stearns did not have an update as to which direction the fire is burning, or where crews are focusing their efforts today.

Temperatures have been cooler, so fires are seeing a decrease in activity in the morning, she said.

Firefighters, helicopters and pieces of heavy equipment are on site today, she said.

Yesterday, the fire did not see any growth on the north and east flanks, and bucketing support continued in those areas. It was also moving parallel to the highway yesterday.

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