The BC Wildfire Service said crews battling the Keremeos Creek Fire conducted a successful planned burn near the Olalla Creek Forest Service Road on August 11. Fire behavior in the Keremeos Creek fire remained stable over the weekend, but the BC Wildfire Service says a change in wind direction could increase activity on Sunday. New mapping from BCWS estimates the fire, burning southwest of Penticton, is now estimated at 6,948 hectares. In an update Saturday night, BCWS said crews were able to use direct attack methods and containment lines due to the mild temperatures and increased moisture seen above the fire. BCWS said the northwest portion of the fire remains the most active. “Suppression efforts are challenged by steep terrain that is inaccessible to crews and heavy equipment,” BCWS said. “Where possible, crews are using a direct attack along the northwest corner of the fire.” BCWS said crews are setting up a patrol between Keremeos Creek and along Green Mountain Road, while patrolling and sweeping continues south of Green Mountain Road, along Highway 3A and Sheep Creek Road. To the southwest, firefighters have installed a water supply system around Winter Creek and crews continue to mop up and patrol along Olalla Creek Road and Highway 3. “Night operations are continuing to monitor the edge of the fire up to the Olalla FSR for any spillage caused by rolling debris,” BCWS said. BCWS said nearby communities can expect to see smoke within the fire perimeter in the coming weeks, but encourages residents to report any smoke seen rising from green, unburned fuel or outside the fire perimeter. Photo: BC Wildfire Service The perimeter of the Keremeos Creek fire as of August 10.
