The B.C. Wildfire Service says the Allie Lake fire near Kamloops is now 25 per cent contained and is still estimated at 2,700 hectares.
Early Monday afternoon, fire information officer Heather Rice said the containment is along the southern flank where the blaze first started.
"We have a total of 132 firefighters, 12 helicopters and 12 pieces of heavy equipment on site today," she told KamloopsMatters. "One of those crews will be working a night shift. We're working 24/7 on it."
She adds crews will be preparing for a change in wind today by working "quite vigorously" on the southwest flanks, "so we can bolster that guard and hold the fire in its current perimeter."
Rice reminds outdoor enthusiasts that an area restriction remains in place around the Allie Lake fire and that nearby recreation sites are closed.
It's suspected an outbuilding was lost on Day 1 of the blaze.
The fire is still considered "out of control," according to B.C. Wildfire Service tracking.
11:05 a.m.
Fire information officer Marla Catherall says the Chataway Lake blaze is now exhibiting rank one to two fire behaviour – a decrease from the weekend.
"On the weekend, it was three to four."
Rank one to two means it's a low-surface fire with smouldering and little to no spread, according to Catherall.
The fire is still estimated to be 40 hectares. Catherall says the B.C. Wildfire Service is sending out 24 personnel to the scene today, along with air support and heavy equipment.
"The objective includes preparing for the wind expected later today."
She notes a cold front will be coming in tonight, one that will bring cooler temperatures, some wind and a small chance of rain.
"It's not huge. It's minimal (rain)," says Catherall says. "Anything is better than nothing."
10:15 a.m.
The Allie Lake and Chataway Lake fires are still burning today (Monday, May 28).
The Chataway Lake fire is 27 kilometres northwest of Merritt (and similar distance southwest of Logan Lake).
Catherall says at the last update her office got – yesterday (Sunday, May 27) at 5:30 p.m. – the fire was 40 hectares with eight firefighters and six air tankers on scene.
"It was exhibiting rank three fire behaviour with pockets of rank four. That means some candling and some spotting."
Candling is when a tree catches fire at the bottom and burns upwards, and spotting is when the fire spreads through sparks and ash falling ahead of the fire line.
The fire is suspected to be human-caused and is under investigation.
Meanwhile, the Xusum Creek fire near Lillooet was estimated at 500 hectares as of Sunday afternoon. It's said to be 25 per cent contained, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
Temperatures in the area today are predicted to hit 27 C, according to Environment Canada. Later this week, cooler temperatures and a chance of showers are expected across much of the lower half of the province.
This story will be updated at Kamloops Matters throughout the day as reporters gather more information about the fires.
