KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Firefighters have managed to contain a small but intense wildfire that has destroyed a business just west of Kamloops, B.C.
The BC Wildfire Service says a crew of 47 backed by a helicopter and 11 planes responded to the blaze that broke out Wednesday afternoon following a crash on Highway 1 through the tiny community of Cherry Creek.
Fire information officer Max Birkner says 26 firefighters stayed on scene overnight to keep the flames from spreading beyond 15 hectares, and work continues to completely douse the blaze.
It briefly closed Highway 1 about 20 kilometres west of Kamloops, and Cherry Creek resident Kelly Sens says it destroyed his woodworking shop and smoke damaged his home, but he says his family and animals are safe.
In the south Okanagan community of Kaleden, just south of Penticton, an evacuation alert remains in effect but evacuation orders have been lifted for 18 homes as crews have contained a 6.5-hectare blaze that burned one home and several outbuildings.
A cause of the Kaleden fire is under investigation, but there was no lightning in the area when it was sparked Tuesday night, so fire officials say it was likely human-caused.
