Wildfire near Stump Lake being held at 149ha

UPDATE (12:15 p.m.): Residents of one property at 8805 Kullagh Creek Rd. may return home.

The TNRD downgraded the evacuation order to an evacuation alert. In total, 31 properties within the regional district are under an evacuation alert due to the Kullagh Creek wildfire.

EARLIER: KAMLOOPS — A large wildfire near Stump Lake south of Kamloops is no longer burning out of control.

In an update Wednesday (June 17) morning, the BC Wildfire Service says the Kullagh Creek wildfire is being held at 149 hectares in size, meaning it’s expected to remain within its current perimeter.

Fire Information Officer Cassidy Martin told CFJC Today the fire didn’t grow overnight and the area saw some precipitation. The Kullagh Creek wildfire is showing Rank 1 fire behaviour, meaning it’s a smouldering ground fire.

“We do have 61 personnel still on that fire actioning mop-up and patrolling for hot spots,” Martin says. “We no longer have aircraft on site, but they are available as needed throughout the day.”

The suspected cause of the fire is under investigation.

The Kullagh Creek wildfire was discovered Tuesday morning before growing to 149 hectares in size throughout the day.

An evacuation order for one property at 8805 Kullagh Creek Road and an evacuation alert for 30 properties surrounding it within Electoral Areas “J” (Copper Desert Country), “L” (Grasslands) and “M” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – North) of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District are still in place as of publication.