Keremeos Creek update: Wildfire facing potential growth, evacuation orders rescinded

All evacuation orders and most alerts have now been lifted related to the Keremeos Creek wildfire near Penticton.

The Regional Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS)  says the remaining people forced from their houses can now go home.

“This will allow residents of 25 properties along Green Mountain Road and Sheep Creek Road to return home,” said Erick Thompson with the RDOS.

“They are currently no properties on evacuation order on the RDOS.”

(Photo credit: BC Wildfire Service)

Despite this, the BC Wildfire Service is warning the recent heat wave could increase fire activity for the Keremeos Creek wildfire near Penticton.

They says cooler weather and higher humidity has helped keep the fire at around 7000 hectares, but that’s expected to change as warmer, dryer weather comes in.

Communities near the northwest and southwest areas of the wildfire should expect to see more smoke over Wednesday, the BC Wildfire Service adds.

“Crews continue to make progress on containment lines and most sections of the fire remain stable,” said a BC Wildfire Service statement said.

“The wildfire’s western flank is most active and currently burning in steep, difficult terrain.”

Over 290 firefighters have been assigned to battle the blaze, with a team of 14 helicopters helping as well.

Related links:

• Keremeos Creek wildfire currently stable, coming hot weather pose risks

• Vancouver Island fire crews continue to battle lightning-sparked blazes

• Wildfires burning across Vancouver Island after lightning storm

Earlier in the week Karly Desrosiers, fire information officer, told CityNews that they were monitoring how the heat wave could affect the fire.

“We are seeing that temperatures are going to be moderate at the beginning of the week but then heat up again later on in the week. So, something that we’re keeping an eye on but overall most things are stable,” said Desrosiers.

Desrosiers says crews have contained the majority of the almost 7,000-hectare fire, but it will be considered “out of control” until the entire perimeter is controlled.

“We have not seen any uncontrolled growth in the past week, so this additional growth over the weekend was attributed to a small planned ignition that was completed at the end of last week,” she explained.

All the latest updates can be found on the BC Wildfire Services dashboard.

With files from Charlie Carey and Michael Williams