3 fires west of Kamloops
Photo: Dean Kraeling
UPDATE 2.25 p.m
The BC Wildfire Service says the three new wildfires about 11.5 kilometers southwest of Ashcroft are clustered less than two kilometers apart.
The Cornwall Creek wildfire is estimated at two hectares, while the Minaberriet Creek wildfire is estimated at 16.6 hectares.
The Cornwall Lookout bushfire is local in size.
Two of the fires were discovered Thursday night, while the third was discovered Friday morning by crews responding to the other fires.
“An initial strike crew of five, a helicopter and air tankers are responding. Two water tenders and an excavator are providing support,” BCWS said on Twitter.
“An additional helicopter with a three-person rappel crew is en route. Resources are being shared between all incidents.”
Fires are lit in ranks one and two.
The BC Wildfire Service is responding to three wildfires approx. 11.5 km SW of Ashcroft. The wildfires are approximately one mile apart. The Cornwall Creek wildfire (K20817) is estimated at two hectares. The Minaberriet Creek wildfire is estimated at 16.6 hectares. pic.twitter.com/uwmlcnMZGC
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 29, 2022
ORIGINAL 6:50 a.m
Three new wildfires have started west of Kamloops.
The largest is southwest of Ashcroft on Minaberriet Creek.
It is estimated to be 10 hectares in size, according to the BC Wildfire Service dashboard.
Those driving the Trans-Canada Highway say a storm blew in Thursday evening and suspect the fire may have been caused by lightning, although BCWS has not yet determined that.
Not far away, another fire in Cornwall Creek is estimated at two hectares.
Both fires started Thursday night.
Closer to Kamloops, there is a new fire on the north shore of Kamloops Lake.
It currently has an area of 0.01 hectares.