Wildfire south of La Casa now 742 hectares

Fire grows to 742 hectares

Photo: Contributed

The Quilpituk Creek fire at about 11:45 p.m. Monday. A spot fire burned to the south of the main blaze but was quickly brought under control.

UPDATE 10:30 a.m.

On the ground, and in the air, firefighters worked through the night on the Quilpituk Creek wildfire south of La Casa.

The blaze saw growth throughout the day Monday, growing to 742 hectares, according to an update Tuesday morning from the BC Wildfire Service.

That growth, however, continues to be up slope and away from homes.

Night-vision helicopters worked overnight, tanking hotspots, in support of structure protection crews on the ground.

A spot fire south of the Quilpituk Creek fire, which was very visible across the lake, was quickly brought under control by crews.

“Structure protection and structural defense will continue to be on site today extinguishing hotspots along the community of La Casa,” said BCWS.

UPDATE 9:40 a.m.

The Quilpituk Creek wildfire has grown to 742 hectares, with crews continuing to battle the blaze as it spreads upslope to the northwest, away from nearby communities, BC Wildfire Service says.

The BC Wildfire Service said Tuesday morning that crews continued with danger tree assessment and falling work today along the east flank of the fire, establishing a 10-foot edge on the fire perimeter.

“Along the north flank, crews and heavy equipment are progressing west along the flank, conducting danger tree assessment and falling as needed and extending their hoselay as they go for direct suppression of the fire’s edge,” BC Wildfire Service said.

“Crews continue to establish hoselay for water delivery to the fire’s edge and conducting danger tree assessments and falling as they work their way around the fire perimeter.”

Along the south flank, heavy equipment is establishing a fuel free and guard, working as far up the slope as they can. Crews and heavy equipment were supported by aerial resources, bucketing on hotspots to cool the fire and slow growth as they worked.

ORIGINAL 5:55 a.m.

The Quilptuk Creek wildfire burning south of La Casa remains mapped at 565.8 hectares Tuesday morning, and all evacuation orders and alerts issued over the weekend remain in place.

In an online update, BC Wildfire Service said night vision helicopters were conducting overnight bucketing operations to cool hotspots, reduce fire activity, and limit further spread. Structure protection crews also remained on site.

While the fire grew Monday, BC Wildfire Service fire information officer Nicole Bonnett said that growth was to the northwest and away from any structures.

Thus far, 2,223 evacuation orders and and 425 evacuation alerts are in place and Emergency Support Services services can be accessed at the Westbank Lions Hall (2466 Main St) for those who require assistance registering or additional services such as food, clothing, cultural supports or other incidentals.

Royal LePage Place Arena (2760 Cameron Road) is open for all evacuees for group lodging. The Salvation Army is providing food and the overnight support site is equipped with snacks, water, sleeping cots, washroom facilities and first aid. Security patrolled parking is available on site.

RVs and trailers can park at Mount Boucherie Secondary School (2751 Cameron Road) overnight and access services at Royal LePage Place.

The overnight support site at Westbank First Nation’s Sensisyusten House of Learning has closed for today.