“The flanks of the fire are in very steep, rocky terrain and are difficult to address,” Stewart-Shantz told CFJC Today. “The main focus will be conducting work around the highway to shore that up and make sure conditions become safe, and looking at addressing areas that are operable for both crews and aerial resources — while still keeping a focus on protecting infrastructure in the area.”
Stewart-Shantz added crews are expecting a few more days of above seasonal average temperatures near the Mine Creek wildfire, along with a little bit of wind.
While the conditions aren’t favourable for responding to wildfires, she noted the time of year is helping, as September has earlier sunsets than the peak of summer.
“We’re seeing okay recoveries overnight and cooler temperatures in the morning, and that results in decreased fire behaviour,” Stewart-Shantz added. “As we head into the afternoon, things will have to be reassessed. Because we are expecting to see that jump in temperatures with a little bit of wind which could bring that fire activity up to Rank 3, 4 or 5 levels, which are not safe for our crews to be in the vicinity of.”
As of publication, there are nine active wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre, with two of them out of control.
Despite quieter fire activity outside of the Mine Creek wildfire, Stewart-Shantz said the region is still dry after two weeks of above seasonal average temperatures. The fire danger rating for the Kamloops Fire Centre ranks high-to-extreme as of noon Wednesday.
The Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt remains closed in both directions, and DriveBC expects to have another update at 2:30 p.m. Updates can be found here.
Late Wednesday, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District issued an evacuation order and alert for a number of properties in Electoral Area “N” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – South) due to the Mine Creek wildfire.