(UPDATE: July 31st @ 1:18 p.m.) - The Martin Mountain fire currently at 100% contained and remains at 150 hectares.
There are currently 75 firefighters at the scene, along with heavy equipment and water tenders.
(UPDATE: July 31st @ 10:10 a.m.) - The Martin Mountain Wildfire is being held at this time. It is currently 90% contained and remains at an estimated 150 hectares in size.
There are currently 75 firefighters, heavy equipment, and water tenders are working on the is fire. Air support will be sent to the fire if needed.
(UPDATE: July 27th @ 7:15 p.m.) - We have received confirmation that structures have been impacted by the Martin Mountain fire. The number and the type of structures impacted is not known at this time.
The fire remains at 150 hectares in size and is 30% contained. There are currently 66 firefighters at the scene with helicopters and air tankers.
(UPDATE: July 27th @ 12:50 p.m.) - The fire is now at 30% containment.
The Martin Mountain fire is now at 30% containment, but still at 150 hectares in size.
Currently, there are two pieces of heavy equipment, three skimmers and two helicopters working on the fire.
More than 20 firefighters, along with more heavy equipment will be heading out to the fire this afternoon.
View of the wildfire from our bedroom window #MonteLake #BCHwy97 #BCwildfire pic.twitter.com/j9i6WvjkX4
— Richard McKenzie (@SparkedKiwi) July 27, 2017
(UPDATE: July 27th @ 11:00 a.m.) - Highway 97 between Vernon and Kamloops has now reopened as crews continue to battle the Martin Mountain blaze.
#BCHwy97 is now open to single lane alternating traffic at #MonteLake.
— Drive BC (@DriveBC) July 27, 2017
(UPDATE: July 27th @ 9:15 a.m.) - The Martin Mountain wildfire is up to 150 hectares and there is no containment number yet.
There were 31 firefighters battling the blaze overnight and they're being switched out at the moment.
I'm still waiting on numbers for what firefighters we're going to have out here today, but I understand it's going to be around a similar amount," said fire information officer, Max Birkner. "We're also going to have aircraft out there, hopefully at some point today."
Birkner said the weather cooperated on Wednesday, especially the wind, and they're hoping for the same on Thursday, especially as it starts to get hotter.
Highway 97 is still closed in the area and crews are working on a resolution, but it's too difficult to make a prediction on when the road will reopen.
The fire is still under investigation and an origin and cause investigation team will be on scene throughout the day.
Click here for up to date evacuation orders and alerts, and check DriveBC for up to date driving conditions.
Check our 8:20 a.m. update for a video of the early stages of the fire.
(UPDATE: July 27th @8:20 a.m.) - As we await a morning update from the B.C. Wildfire Service, we want to share a video sent to us by Gerry Doucette.
The video was taken shortly after the fire began as Doucette and his family returned from the Vernon Water Slides.
Fire information officer, Max Birkner, will provide an update on the fire at 9 a.m., at which point we will relay the information.
To find out about highway closures, as well as evacuation orders and alerts in the area, click this link.
(UPDATE: July 26th @ 8:17 p.m.) - The Martin Mountain fire is now at 100 hectares in size. There are still air tankers at the scene, along with the RCMP and 31 firefighters, working on containment.
The wildfire is burning near Martin Mountain, north of Monte Lake, east of Kamloops. The fire is highly visible from Highway 97 and nearby communities. It is currently burning away from Highway 97.
Photo credit: BC Wildfire
(UPDATE: July 26th @ 8 p.m.) - Drive BC has announced some alternative routes for Highway 97. People are being directed to Highway 1, Highway 97B, Highway 97A and Salmon Arm Rd.
For information on evacuation orders and alerts click here.
(UPDATE: July 26th @ 7:21 p.m.) - The Martin Mountain fire has had some significant growth. It has now 60 hectares in size, and fire officials are seeing open flames and candling in trees at the scene.
There are currently 31 firefighters and some air tankers fighting the fire.
The fire is currently threatening structures on the east side of the valley and there is a tactical evacuation taking place.
(UPDATE: July 26th @ 6:15 p.m.) - Due to a rapidly moving interface fire in the Monte Lake area, a state of local emergency has been declared for Electoral Area L, "Grasslands."
For a better view of the region click here.
According to the Thompson-Nicola Regional District:
"There is imminent threat to health, safety or welfare of people and property"
The fire is an estimated 30 hectares in size with air support and ground crews currently fighting the fire.
More updates to come.
(Original Story: July 26th @ 5:45 p.m.) - Drive BC is reporting that Highway 97 is closed at Paxton Valley Road in Monte Lake due to a wildfire.
Kamloops Fire Centre has confirmed there is a wildfire on Martin Mountain near Monte Lake along Highway 97.
The fire is an estimated 30 hectares in size with air support and ground crews currently fighting the fire.
#BCHwy97 CLOSED at Paxton Valley Road in #MonteLake due to forest fire, assessment in progress. #bcwildfires
— Drive BC (@DriveBC) July 27, 2017
We will update the story as more information becomes available.
Monte Lake fire from TCH. pic.twitter.com/pP4WK1nYE4
— Renaissance Farm (@SbredsFarm) July 27, 2017
