Southwest corner of the Keremeos Creek Wildfire on Tuesday UPDATE: 9:57 a.m The BC Wildfire Service said the Keremeos Creek Fire has moved along the downslope closer to Highway 3A at the south end of Yellow Lake in their update Tuesday morning. Mapping estimated the fire was 2,790 hectares as of Monday evening. A portion of the fire was not visible earlier due to smoke. Firefighters are working to establish a containment line along the highway. “This will limit growth and allow crews to safely access and establish containment lines,” BCWS said. The Airtankers managed to make two retarder passes on Monday night, but were unable to continue due to crosswinds. BCWS crew and structural protection stationed overnight. Scheduled flare-ups are expected on the eastern side over the next 24 hours. The cause of this fire is under investigation. A total of eight helicopters, four pieces of heavy equipment and an additional 115 structural protection personnel from fire departments across B.C. for a total crew of 229 firefighters. Additional crews are establishing control lines from Green Mountain Road working west and preparing Cedar Creek Road for potential burn operations. Complete hazard tree assessment and fall along Green Mountain Road. ORIGINAL: 6:38 AM Cooler temperatures are expected to help fight the fire this week in Keremeos Creek burning near Mount Apex. “With the inversion and cooler temperatures for the next two to three days, crews will be using these conditions to their advantage,” the BC Wildfire Service said in an update Monday night. The fire is estimated to have burned 2,790 acres. Crews and construction protection units remained on scene throughout the night. Structural Protection has deployed resources to homes and infrastructure as needed, and screening of additional sites will continue as needed. “Crews are actively constructing emergency lines on the south side of the ravine at Sheep Creek Road. Crews are constructing hand lines south of Green Mountain Road to Highway 3. And crews are also working along Green Mountain Road,” BCWS says . As temperatures are expected to continue to drop over the next few days, crews will be using these conditions to their advantage. Meanwhile, fire growth is on steep, inaccessible terrain. “Crews are constructing emergency lines while continuing to focus their efforts on areas impacting residents, supporting the protection of structures. “Much of the fire is in terrain that is not operable to support aircraft and heavy machinery; however, the fire has moved into an area to the west that is accessible to tackle with heavy equipment. Heavy equipment is being used to line the Sheep Creek, protecting values’. Hedley-Nickleplate Road and Green Mountain Road are both closed in the fire zone. A total of 144 firefighters are tackling the blaze, supported by nine helicopters and four pieces of heavy equipment. Photo: BCWS
