Wildfire beside Highway 3 near Grand Forks ‘out of control’
Posted October 9, 2022 7:30 pm.
Last Updated October 9, 2022 7:48 pm.
The BC Wildfire Service reported a wildfire on Sunday has grown to 151 hectares in size, and is “out of control.”
The fire is located beside Highway 3, about 10 kilometers out of Grand Forks, B.C. at Gilpin Grasslands Provincial Park.
BC Wildfire Service says Highway 3 is currently open and traffic control is directing drivers through the area.
The size is estimated to be 151 hectares at this time. It is located adjacent to #BCHwy3 and is highly visible to surrounding communities, as well as people traveling in the area.
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) October 10, 2022
Earlier in the day, the fire was reported to be around four hectares in size, but quickly it spread out.
“The grassland provided a continuity of fuel, so grass is a fine fuel that does allow fire to travel quicker than a lot of the other bigger fuels,” Kim Wright, fire information officer at the Southeast Fire Centre said.
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“Now that the heat of the day has passed, we have seen fire behavior diminish, and crews are going to remain on the scene,” she said.
BC Wildfire Service is working together with the Grand Forks, Christina Lake, and Greenwood Fire Departments to get the fire under control.
It says the fire is “highly visible to surrounding communities, as well as people traveling in the area.”
“While Highway 3 remains open, traffic control is in place to ensure operations can continue safely. Please reduce your speed, use your headlights, remain aware of your surroundings and follow the requests from traffic control,” the BC Wildfire Service said in a tweet.
The service says the fire is likely human caused.
