Crews battling almost 400 hectare wildfire in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS (NEWS 1130) – Crews are battling a rapidly growing wildfire in Kamloops.

The fire, located on the Shuswap Road area, was first estimated at 20 hectares but grew to 380 within a few hours due to “persistent windy conditions.”

The B.C. Wildfire Service says 49 firefighters, air tankers and helicopters are currently battling the flames.

“It is in grass and sage, we call those ‘fun flashy fuel,’ because they burn really fast, they burn really hot and they burn really quick,” says Fire Information Officer Marla Catherall.

She says those types of fires usually burn out quickly, but notes winds conditions did not help the situation.

Fire crews on the ground are focusing on stopping the fire from reaching nearby structures but Catherall says there is no threat yet.

Boaters are being asked to stay clear of Paul Lake as it’s being used by water skimming aircraft.

The cause of the fire is still unknown but fire investigators are on the scene.

She says fire crews will be on site overnight.

-With files from Hana Mae Nassar

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