The Bald Range wildfire has expanded to 15,590 hectares as BC Wildfire Service crews prepare for another day of active fire behaviour on Monday, with shifting winds and incoming smoke from a neighbouring blaze complicating suppression efforts.
Officials said the fire advanced one to 1.5 kilometres on its northwestern and southern flanks Sunday night, though forecast winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour failed to materialize at the anticipated intensity. Similar growth is expected Monday as sunshine and atmospheric instability create conditions for intermittent candling, isolated trees torching from bottom to top.
Weather and smoke concerns
A wind pattern mirroring Sunday is forecast, with north to northeasterly gusts Monday morning shifting westerly by evening. Thunderstorms are possible in the Kamloops area, adding unpredictability. Meanwhile, smoke from the nearby Brunswick Creek wildfire is expected to drift into the region as atmospheric instability lifts and transports the plume, reducing visibility for aerial operations.
Ground and air operations
Crews are concentrating on the Trout Creek drainage, working to hold the fire on the drainage's south side. Mop-up continues in previously burned areas to prevent reburns. On the southern flank, heavy equipment and personnel are building a contingency line near the golf course and connecting it to Kettle Valley Road.
Helicopters carried the bulk of aerial support Sunday after visibility deteriorated, forcing air tankers to suspend operations after completing only a few retardant lines.
BC Hydro, Okanagan Power and FortisBC are responding to downed power lines and other damage to critical infrastructure in the fire zone.
Based on reporting by Global News.