Highway 3 fully reopens but wildfire remains out of control

Both lanes of Highway 3 are open again after the corridor was closed due to the Richter Mountain wildfire in the South Okanagan. 

Crews from the Oliver Fire Department are on scene at Richter Mountain for a second day to assist B.C. Wildfire Service crews.

Oliver Fire Chief Bob Graham said a water tanker that was assigned to the Keremeos Creek wildfire has been redeployed to Richter Mountain for today.

The wildfire was started after a vehicle fire along Highway 3, between Osoyoos and Keremeos, during the early hours of Aug. 12.

A handful of properties were put on evacuation alert yesterday but that was rescinded later in the day.

The Richter Mountain wildfire is 26 hectares  in size and not considered significant enough to be a “wildfire of note” by B.C. Wildfire. However it is considered out of control.

DriveB.C. announced the reopening of the highway between Keremeos and Osoyoos this morning, Aug. 13.

READ MORE: More firefighters assigned to wildfire near Penticton after challenging night

The Keremeos Creek wildfire – burning to the southwest of Penticton – is much larger at 6,712 hectares, as of the most recent survey.

Keremeos Creek was discovered July 29. The suspected cause is unknown. Over 300 firefighters have been assigned to it every day this week, in addition to numerous helicopters and pieces of heavy equipment.

A call to B.C. Wildfire was not immediately returned. 

CLEAR – #BCHwy3 – Forest Fire between Chopaka road and Nighthawk road has been clear.
The highway from #KeremeosBC to #OsoyoosBC is FULLY OPEN.

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) August 13, 2022

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