Update:
Wednesday's wildfire at McLeese Lake was person-caused and is under investigation said Cariboo Fire Centre information officer Greig Bethel Thursday.
"Apparently, the fire was burning in an open field and moved into standing timber," Bethel said. "It has been re-estimated at 1.3 hectares in size, down from the 1.5."
The fire was brought under control by Cariboo Fire Centre/Wildfire Management Branch crews with bucket support from helicopters and heavy equipment on Wednesday evening by about 8 p.m.
An airtanker also actioned the fire on Wednesday afternoon.
Approximately 16 WMB personnel returned to the site Thursday morning at 8:30 a.m. to continue putting out hot spots.
It is in the patrol stage now and was turned over to the landowner at 3 p.m.," Bethel said Thursday evening.
Original story from Wednesday evening:
There is currently a 1.5 hectare wildfire at McLeese Lake on the east side of Highway 97, in the Robertson Road area.
An Initial Attack crew is currently actioning the fire with bucket support from a helicopter and an airtanker that dropped retardant.
"It is a smouldering ground fire/low vigour surface fire," said Cariboo Fire Centre information officer Greig Bethel in an e-maill, adding 10 more crew personnel are on the way.
"There are structures nearby, but they are not being threatened at this time. The cause is under investigation," Bethel noted.