Watching Creek wildfire unlikely to spread further: BC Wildfire Service

KAMLOOPS — UPDATE: The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has now lifted the Evacuation Alert in place due to the Watching Creek fire.

EARLIER: The Watching Creek wildfire northwest of Kamloops is being held.

In an update Tuesday (Aug. 9) morning, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) reports that the 270-hectare blaze approximately 16 kilometres northwest of Kamloops is not likely to spread beyond containment lines.

BCWS adds that crews will continue to work within the fire perimeter to fully extinguish fiery and hot areas. The Watching Creek wildfire will no longer be considered a wildfire of note in the coming days. There are three other wildfires of note within the Kamloops Fire Centre: the Nohomin Creek wildfire near Lytton, the Maria Creek wildfire between Clinton and Lillooet and the Keremeos Creek wildfire south of Penticton.

The Watching Creek wildfire was suspected to be caused by lightning. It was discovered on July 29.

The Thompson Nicola Regional District still has an evacuation alert in effect for properties in the Copper Desert Country electoral area due to the Watching Creek wildfire.