MERRITT FIRE DANGER RATING REMAINS EXTREME

The City of Merritt once again reminding residents that the Fire Danger Rating is once again at level five or extreme.

Fire danger ratings are used to indicate how easily fires can start and spread in an area, and indicate which areas are at risk of severe wildfire activity.

The ratings are: 1.) very low danger, 2.) low danger,3.) moderate danger,4.) high danger, 5.) extreme danger.

Over the past few weeks the rating has been fluctuating between high and extreme however with the recent high pressure system bringing a heat wave to the region, conditions are now considered extremely tinder dry.

“We had the same scenario last year, we had a damp spring where we hoped it would keep conditions at bay,” said Fire Smart coordinator Steve Rempel. “However we got to the first week of July, the temperatures soared and things got worse in the region.”

City officials ask that you monitor your local media websites to stay up to date.

“We encourage everyone to keep updated as to what is happening in our area,” Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz added. “Go the City of Merritt’s website, check our Q101 and the Merritt Herald’s website and what for notices on social media as well.”

As of Tuesday afternoon, there were 98 wildfires burning in the province, 24 of which are out-of-control. In the Kamloops Fire Centre, there are just three fires reported. The Truax Wildfire remains at 205-hectares while the 157-hectares Tiffin Creek wildfire outside Lillooet remain under control as is the small o.24 hectares Sigalet Lake wildfire east of  Coldstream. All three are considered human caused.