Out-of-control wildfire partially closes Trans-Canada Highway

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CHERRY CREEK (NEWS 1130) – One out-building has been destroyed and one residence has been partially damaged by an out-of-control wildfire at Cherry Creek, west of Kamloops.

The fire has closed part of the Trans-Canada Highway in the area and is believed to have been sparked by a vehicle collision.

Justine Hunse with the Kamloops Fire Centre describes it as a smoldering, ground fire.

“The conditions throughout the Kamloops fire centre have been hot and dry over the past week or so here. We have seen the temperatures steadily drying out fuel in the area. And that’s been reflected in the fire danger rating… it’s generally high to extreme throughout the Kamloops fire centre.”

The fire is an estimated 15 hectares in size.

31 firefighters, 11 planes and one helicopter are fighting the blaze.

The fire comes after a wildfire destroyed a home and other structures in the south Okanagan community of Kaleden on Tuesday.

Lin Powell lives in that area and the fire came within about 400 metres of her house.

She and her husband had to leave their home for Penticton on Tuesday night.

“It was chaotic at first, of course, because the police are coming and they’re telling you that you have to get out right now and it’s very chaotic, a little bit of a traffic jam at the top of the hill.”

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