UPDATE: Out-of-control Sitkum Creek fire grows to just under 2K hectares

(UPDATE: July 25 @ 3:30 pm) – The BC Wildfire Service is reporting new growth on the Sitkum Creek wildfire burning in the North Okanagan.

On Thursday afternoon, the BCWS said the fire had grown to 1,993 hectares.

It has been estimated at about 1,500 hectares for most of the week.

No other operational updates have been provided Thursday afternoon.

(Original story: July 25 @ 1 pm) – Crews are working to contain an out-of-control wildfire burning in the North Okanagan.

According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), there has been no growth on the Sitkum Creek wildfire, which continues to burn out of control near Sugar Lake.

A crew of 12 personnel were working on containment along the western flank on Wednesday.

They were supported by helicopters who were helping with water delivery to the site.

Additional structure protection crews are also working within the evacuation alert area and assessing what values may need protecting.

“Industry partners (were) on site removing wood that was already ready for transport from a block near the fire,” says the BCWS.

“The removal of these logs is important as they could potentially fuel the spread and intensity of the fire should they catch on fire.”

There has been no major growth on the fire and it remains estimated at 1,502 hectares as of late Wednesday afternoon. An update for Thursday has yet to be made.

An evacuation order for the east side of Sugar Lake remains in place.

The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) is also maintaining an evacuation alert for the east side of the Sugar Lake.