The BC Wildfire Service says cooler weather weather coupled with higher relative humidity and cloudy skies is expected to reduce fire behaviour at the Watching Creek Fire today, Aug 3.

The fire – which was discovered last Friday – is about 9 km from Kamloops city boundaries and it remains at an estimated 195 hectares in size.

Speaking on the NL Morning News, Fire Information Officer, Roslyn Johnson, says there hasn’t been any significant change in fire behaviour since yesterday.

“We did see fire activity yesterday. There was about rank 2 to 3 which is a low to moderately vigorous surface fire,” Johnson said.

“We do have crews working on the north. They are being supported by heavy equipment establishing control lines there. We also did have aviation resources yesterday supporting skimmers dropping water, and air tankers as well with the deployment of retardant.”

Environment Canada is calling for a high of 25 C in the Kamloops area today, with a slim chance of afternoon showers. Tonight’s overnight low is expected to be 15 C, with the a high of just 18 C expected Thursday, before temperatures increase Friday into next week.

“With the weather we are seeing today, and certainly with the high cloud and increased relative humidity, it will certainly help reduce the fire behaviour and allow crews to make good progress,” Johnson added.

The Wildfire Service says a total of 46 firefighters, six helicopters, and 10 heavy equipment are on scene, with air resources continuing to support ground crews today, as required

“[Crews in the north corner] are working to establish a water delivery system up there and they will start from a safe location and then work inwards towards the west,” Johnson added.

“It is quite steep up there so they are having some difficulty on where they can operate and where it is safe to do so. We will put a guard wherever it is safe for them to work.”

People in Kamloops and other nearby communities are being told to expect smoky skies for the next few days. Environment Canada has already issued a special air quality statement from the area.

The TNRD has issued an evacuation alert for properties in the Lac du Bois, McQueen Lake, and Isobel Lake areas, while the City of Kamloops says it is also monitoring this fire.

Emergency Preparedness Manager, Will Beatty, told NL News yesterday, there were no immediate threats to the City of Kamloops.

“We are just currently at this time providing logistical support to BC Wildfire Service. We don’t have any structural fire people on the fire itself,” he said.

“Our main responsibility remains to the residents of this City of Kamloops. We will offer support in situations of need and that is at the request of the BC Wildfire Service and currently I’m not aware of any.”

You’ll find the latest information on the Watching Creek Fire here.