B.C. wildfire south of Kamloops grows to half a square kilometre in hours

A wildfire sparked by lightning south of Kamloops grew to about half a square kilometre on Saturday and is considered out of control, though no structures are at imminent risk and no evacuation advisories have been issued.

The fire near Jacko Lake in an area overlooking the Thompson-Okanagan Valley is burning in grassy fuels. Nineteen firefighters are working on the ground, supported by multiple air tankers and three helicopters making runs to fight the blaze. Fire retardant has been dropped along the north and east flanks.

Meanwhile, the larger Pear Lake fire northwest of Kamloops—now the province's largest active wildfire at nearly 1,650 square kilometres—triggered an evacuation order Saturday for more than 80 properties in Cache Creek, Blue Sky Country and Bonaparte Plateau. Many more properties in Bonaparte are under evacuation alert.

For updates on fire activity, visit bcwildfire.ca. Current wildfire travel advisories are available at drivebc.ca, and information for residents and evacuees is at emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca.