New wildfire northeast of Highway 99 grows to 45 ha

A new wildfire that was discovered yesterday afternoon northeast of Highway 99 has grown to 45 hectares in size.

The wildfire, located near the Maria Creek Forest Service Road, is roughly six kilometres northeast of the highway and Pavilion.

READ MORE: Wildfire activity near Penticton expected to increase this afternoon

The lightning-caused fire is burning in inaccessible terrain, with dense timber, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.

While currently considered a smoldering ground fire with some flame, daytime temperatures and winds will likely influence fire activity.

"Today, a 20-person unit crew and heavy equipment will be working to establish access to the fire and will be supported by helicopters," according to the service. When it was first discovered July 31, it was a highly vigorous surface fire with torching.

Initial attack crews were on site within 15 minutes of the report, followed by aerial crews. A 20-person ground crew arrived within the following two hours of the fire's discovery.

Near Lytton, the Nohomin Creek wildfire has reached 3,162 ha in size, on the west side of the Fraser River.

"There continues to be slow growth in high elevation areas, north of the Stein River, and west into the Stein Valley upslope of the Stein River. In this area, the fire is burning on steep cliffs and rocky terrain where fuels are sparse and growth is driven by wind and gravity," according to the wildfire service.

There are 79 firefighters, 11 helicopters and three pieces of heavy equipment on site today battling the wildfire.

READ MORE: ‘Everything is gone,’ Lytton First Nation woman recounts losing her home to wildfire

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