Upper Jesse Creek fire being held, new fire at East Swakum Mountain

Two wildfires near the City of Merritt are being held this afternoon thanks to the work of emergency crews and local fire departments.

The Upper Jesse Creek wildfire which was reported on Sunday afternoon is now being held at 11.3 hectares north of Merritt.

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) reported that front liner workers responded to the fire with three initial attack crews, two helicopters, a group of skimmers, a bulldozer and three water tenders.

Meanwhile a small 0.009 hectare wildfire was reported at 12:45 p.m. Monday, on the East Swakum Mountain is also being held.

Residents of the Nicola Valley will notice smoke in the air throughout the remainder of the day today.

In total, there are now 13 wildfires burning in the Kamloops Fire District including a pair of fires that ignited in the Spences Bridge area over the weekend have grown

BCWS says one fire, burning about 5.5 kilometres north of the community, is now measured at 11 hectares. A second unnamed fire about two kilometres to the north has grown to 10 hectares.

Both fires are west of the Thompson River and the Trans Canada Highway and both are still considered out of control.