Wildfire northeast of Merritt is being held | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan s News Source infotel.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from infotel.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The BC Wildfire Service says a wildfire in the southern Interior is still burning out of control. The service says 42 firefighters were at the scene Tuesday, 18 kilometres northwest of Merritt. Two helicopters and two pieces of heavy equipment are also being used to bring the one-square-kilometre fire under control. An evacuation alert issued Sunday by the Thompson Nicola Regional District remains in place, affecting 54 properties in Canford and the Miller Estates Subdivision. Heavy equipment is constructing guard around the fire perimeter while crews & the helicopters continue with suppression efforts & water delivery. This incident is a Wildfire of Note on https://t.co/gJcJEU6ETf and updates to the fire can be found here: https://t.co/MerL5eqFoZ
Evacuation alerts issued to properties near Merritt-area wildfire
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has issued evacuation alerts to two communities near Merritt in response to a new wildfire.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) estimated last night that that Petit Creek fire – about 18 kilometres northwest of Merritt – is 100 hectares in size.
It has been worsened by winds, BCWS explained.
As a consequence, evacuation alerts have been issued for properties in the Canford Community and Miller Estates Subdivision (electoral areas “N” and “M” respectively).
Both alerts became effective at 9 pm last night.
BCWS said last night that it had deployed 23 crew members to the fire, along with two helicopters.
2757, 2797, 2815, 2861, and 2901 Merritt Spences Bridge Hwy. 8.
The fire has an estimated size of 100 hectares, according to BC Wildfire Service. It is suspected to be human-caused.
The current stage of control is still listed as “New” by the BC Wildfire Service.
The Service’s website lists 23 firefighters and two helicopters working on extinguishing the blaze.
The evacuation order went into effect at 9p.m. Sunday evening.
What you should do when an alert is in effect:
Have a plan to transport all family members or co-workers outside of the area, should the area be brought under evacuation order.
Keep essential items readily available for a quick departure, including medications, eyeglasses, valuable papers (i.e. insurance), immediate care needs for dependents, and keepsakes.
April 20, 2021 - 10:26 AM A wildfire burning near Merritt is estimated to be 100 hectares in size and is still out of control. The Petit Creek wildfire, northwest of Merritt, was first discovered April 18, along with a wildfire at Buck Ridge, which is now under control at 0.5 ha in size. Homes in two different parts of the Thompson Nicola Regional District remain on evacuation alert, including the Miller Estates subdivision as well as the Canford community. There are 42 B.C. Wildfire crew members on site today, April 20, along with two pieces of heavy equipment and two helicopters, said B.C. Wildfire Service fire information officer Gagan Lidhran.