Update: (Saturday, July 24)
Firefighters Friday established a 20-foot blackline around 90 per cent of this wildfire, with plans Saturday to increase the blackline to 50 feet and continue to patrol and extinguish hot spots around the perimeter of the fire.
The fire is estimated at 545 hectares.
An evacuation alert has been issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.
Update (10:25 p.m.):
Crews fully wrapped am “excursion” at the Chasm wildfire with a heavy equipment guard and ground personnel are working to establish a hose lay, BC Wildfire Service said in an update. Air tankers supported the guard construction with no new growth on the wildfire today.
Following a recommendation by BCWS, the CN railway track was shut down due to the proximity of the fire and the damage caused to the train tracks.
Original story:
Skimmers are on site of the 410-hectare Chasm wildfire today, July 22, after it made an excursion across the guard Wednesday.
BC Wildfire Service information officer Jessica Mack said air tankers blanketed the excursion on the northwest flank Wednesday and firefighters worked throughout the night to put up a fuel-free guard to stop the fire from spreading. Skimmers are on site Thursday to support the guard.
Mack said the fire, located north of Chasm Park and south of 70 Mile House, was moving away from the highway, which is not threatened at this time.
Forty firefighters and four pieces of heavy equipment are involved in suppressing this wildfire.
An evacuation alert remains in effect for 199 properties in the area.
More to come.
kelly.sinoski@100milefreepress.net
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