Regional News

Richter Creek Fire Update

May 16, 2019

Last updated: Thursday, May 16, 2019 at 9:58 AM

Location: 12 km west of Osoyoos off HWY 3

Discovered: Monday, May 13, 2019

Size: 507.0 hectares (estimated) 1252 acres

Status: Active
• 80% contained
The increase in the estimated fire size is due to the successful planned ignitions that occurred yesterday, May 15, 2019.

Yesterday, the crews completed a successful planned ignitions on the northwest and south flanks which increased the containment of this wildfire to 80%. This controlled burn brought the wildfire down from the steep slopes to the established control line completed on Tuesday.

As the fire is now in more workable terrain, the crews will continue with direct attack off the control lines.

Today the crews will mop up (extinguishing a fire after it has been brought under control) along the south flank and also along the west guard, where aerial wetline had been established yesterday. Any hotspots found along the northern perimeter will be direct attacked by crews.

The fire did receive some precipitation overnight and continuing showers are forecasted for the remained of Thursday with a risk of thunderstorms. Temperatures will reach a high of 20 C today, a minimum RH of 50% and variable winds up to 10 km/h. Due to the open fuel type in the area, the forecasted precipitation today will support ground crews with increasing the containment on the fire.

Interface: This is not an interface fire.

More information
An Incident Management Team has taken over this wildfire.

District of Okanagan-Similkameen has put an evacuation alert in place. For additional details please visit their website: https://emergency.rdos.bc.ca/

Cause: Human
Vehicle fire that spread to adjacent grass off of Highway 3.

Resources
• 91 firefighters
• 4 helicopters
There are over 100 personnel working on this fire, including support staff.