Helicopter, air tankers called in to fight new wildfire near Kamloops

A plume of smoke from a new wildfire burning northwest of Kamloops can be seen clearly from the city.

The B.C. Wildfire Service estimates the East Meadows Plateau wildfire to be roughly three hectares in size as of around 2 p.m. today, Aug. 17.

Nine firefighters are heading to the scene while both helicopters and tankers are attacking the wildfire from above, fire information officer Melanie Bibeau said.

It's too soon to say what caused the wildfire as ground crews hadn't yet reached it, she said. It was reported early this afternoon, but she couldn't say precisely when.

Bibeau estimated the wildfire to be roughly 20 kilometres from Kamloops.

The new fire is unrelated to the Watching Creek wildfire that is burning about nine kilometres to the south. Watching Creek reached 270 hectares in size over two weeks before it was contained.

On Shuswap Lake, a new one hectare wildfire was sparked yesterday 20 kilometres southwest of Seymour Arm on the Anstey Peninsula. Smoke can be seen from the Anglemont area.

The Mt. Grice-Hutchinson wildfire has "affected" a remote, boat-in only cabin in the area, according to the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, and is threatening three others.

Due to the lack of road access, wildfire service crews accessed the fire by helicopter or boat, the wildfire service said. The nine crew members on the ground fighting the person-caused blaze are supported by four helicopters.

The fire is burning in heavy timber on a steep slope

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