The Mine Creek wildfire, which shut down the Coquihalla highway last week, continues to show calmer behaviour, which is giving crews a chance to directly attack the fire’s edge.
According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the fire has remained at an estimated 3,006 hectares.
Some rain was reported on the fire on Tuesday and lower temperatures are expected on Wednesday.
However, there is also a small risk of a thunderstorm today, which poses a safety consideration for firefighters.
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There are 49 firefighters, 13 pieces of heavy equipment and eight helicopters responding to the fire.
“A ridge is building in with temperatures warming about one degree per day and relative humidity falling, with this drying trend forecast to persist over the next few days,” the BCWS said.
“This weather could increase fire behaviour, however, good overnight recoveries and shorter days heading into fall may help moderate fire behaviour.”
Crews continue to work on securing the Coquihalla corridor to maintain public and crew safety.
That includes working along the northeast and southwest flanks, from the highway corridor and up into the forest, to establish a hose trail, and mopping up to 50 feet in from the fire’s edge along the road.
As such, the highway is considered to be an active work site and all motorists are asked to drive with extreme caution and obey posted signage.
The highway remains open to traffic, however.
On other parts of the fire, crews continue to mop up, build containment lines and remove dangerous, fire-damaged trees.
Evacuation alerts, which replaced evacuation orders earlier this week, from both the Thompson-Nicola and Fraser Valley regional districts remain in place.
