Clearer skies allow for better mapping of July Mountain wildfire

Over the weekend clearer skies allowed the BC Wildfire Service to better map the growth of the July Mountain wildfire.

Crews had reported growth during the week but they were unable to estimate the size of the expanding fire due to the smoky conditions.

As of Sunday night, the fire is now estimated at 1,267 hectares. Yesterday, 30 firefighters were on scene assisted by three helicopters and two pieces of heavy equipment. The fire is within 1-km of the Coquihalla.

The Brenda Creek fire has also grown to 824 hectares as last reported. While some evacuation orders remain in place for the blaze, the TNRD was able to rescind an alert for three properties in the area over the weekend. On Sunday, 46 firefighters were on scene, assisted by four helicopters and 19 pieces of heavy equipment.

The Spius Creek fire remains at seven hectares.

There are 259 fire burning across BC, 91 of which are within the Kamloops Fire Centre.