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UPDATE: Harrison Hot Springs wildfire still has potential to grow with tricky conditions

B.C. Wildfire Service has issued a notice for people to stay away from areas near Harrison Lake
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(Government of British Columbia/Flickr)

UPDATE: 2:30 p.m. July 6

The fire is still burning at 115 hectares with a containment of 5 per cent Thursday afternoon according to Fire Information Officer Noelle Kekula.

“We still have the same amount of firefighters and burning operations and we’re working on strategies to increase containment of the fire,” she said.

The fire still has the potential to spread and has been deemed a “tricky one,” as crews work in less than favourable conditions with steep terrain and dry weather. The fire is still out of control but with air support in addition to burning operations firefighters will continue to battle the blaze.

UPDATE: 10:00 a.m. July 4

The B.C. Wildfire Service has reported the fire on the eastern shores of Harrison Lake has grown 115 hectares and that 20 more firefighters are on site as of Tuesday morning.

Five per cent of the blaze has been contained, leaving a crew of 60 firefighters, 6 helicopters and an air tanker with the task of getting the majority of the fire under control.

Surrounding areas and the forest service road have been banned to the public through a leave of order while firefighters maintain the blaze.

UPDATE: 10:54 a.m. July 3:

The 60 hectare wildfire burning 30 kilometres north of Harrison Hot Springs is five per cent contained as of Monday morning, according to Coastal Fire Centre information officer Marg Drysdale.

“There’s very little change since yesterday,” said Drysdale. “It’s pushing a bit up into the slope.”

B.C. Wildfire Services is continuing to ask people to avoid the area.

UPDATE 2:24 p.m. July 2:

B.C. Wildfire Services are advising people to stay away from the Harrison Lake area, due to ongoing efforts to control the 60-hectares of wildfire.

A notice to leave order has been issued for the Harrison East Forest Service Road.

More than 60 firefighters have been deployed to battle a human-caused wildfire near Harrison Hot Springs that spread 60 hectares Saturday night.

The fire broke out Saturday afternoon, near the mouth of Big Silver Creek, 30 kilometres north of Harrison Hot Springs.

The Coastal Fire Centre says the blaze is currently zero per cent contained.

Fire centre information office Marg Drysdale said that crews are seeing “vigorous” fire behaviour, “which means they’ve got some open flame and it’s burning fairly well there.”

While the blaze is not near any residences, it is close to a dryland sort and a beach, Drysdale said.

“When our people arrived on the fire, they did they ask the public to move off the beach so helicopters could land,” she said.

RELATED: Campfires left unattended as danger rating hits extreme in Kamloops fire centre

“We’re asking people if they don’t have to be in the vicinity so stay well back. That applies to boaters as well as people who are in vehicles.”

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Crews battle wildfires across B.C.

Crews are still dealing with a fire caused by lightning 12 kilometres east of Burton in the West Kootenay. That’s now 60 per cent contained, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.

Crews continue to battle a 156-hectare fire about 12 kilometres west of Kamloops – also suspected to be human-caused.

With files from Black Press.

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