Fire crews work on the Keremeos Creek fire on Saturday. Fire crews battling the large Keremeos Creek fire tackled some land north of Olalla overnight, but no buildings were affected by the flames. The large fire burning north of Keremeos is estimated at an area of ​​5,903 hectares and more than 540 properties in the area remain under evacuation. In an update Sunday morning, the BC Wildfire Service says crews encountered “spotting” on the south side of the fire overnight, north of Olalla. Smearing occurs when embers from a fire are carried by the wind outside the fire perimeter, starting new fires. “[Fire crews] they were able to do that and then make some hand flares to solidify their lines and stop the fire on the rock bluff north of the village,” BCWS says. “There was no fire damage to structures overnight.” Additionally, crews on the northeast side of the fire battled high winds in the area overnight and continue to build emergency lines Sunday. There is currently overturning over the large fire, causing smoke to spread throughout the area. The reversal is expected to lift later this morning. “Once lifted, crews will conduct scheduled flares to reinforce the hand guard constructed yesterday,” BCWS says. “Crews will be using hand flares on approximately 30 hectares to secure the ground north of Olalla. These flares are critical to establishing reliable containment and will reduce the fire to safe, workable ground for crews. Increased fire activity and smoke may be visible from Olalla and Keremeos.” Firefighters will work Sunday to build a fuel-free line from Green Mountain Road to the McKay Creek staging area, while sprinklers will be installed behind properties on Green Mountain Road. There are now 213 BCWS firefighters working on the fire, along with 168 structural protection firefighters from departments across the province. Structural protection crews are working in the Sheep Creek, Green Mountain, Apex and Olalla areas. Sixteen helicopters and 42 pieces of heavy equipment have also been assigned to the fire. Photo: BCWS

UPDATE: An inversion is creating smoky conditions on the Keremeos Creek Fire (K50863) this morning. This reversal is expected to lift by mid-morning. Once up, crews will perform scheduled flares to reinforce the hand guard constructed yesterday. #BCWildfire pic.twitter.com/lP7sTVjDdr — BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 7, 2022