UPDATE: Wildfire Service responds to new fires over long weekend

UPDATE

The wildfire burning between Nicola Lake and Douglas Lake, about 8.5 kilometres east of Merritt, is now classified as ‘being held” by the B.C. Wildfire Service.

Fire Information Officer Kyla Fraser says four firefighters are on site today, working to get a more accurate track of the fire’s perimeter.

“The fire is currently classified as ‘being held,’” Fraser told CFJC Today. “That one was burning in higher elevation, so it would have experienced freezing temperatures overnight and that really helps the fire to put itself out.”

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Original story

The B.C. Wildfire Service lists the fire danger rating across most of the province as low to moderate but firefighters in several regions still had a busy Easter weekend.

The wildfire service website said crews responded to 11 blazes between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

Most were barely larger than spot fires and were quickly handled, but of the eight reported on Sunday, four remained listed as out of control by midnight.

They included a 50 hectare blaze east of Merritt, and three small fires south of Keremeos in the Similkameen region.

A cause for most of the wildfires is listed as unknown.

There are no active fires in the Okanagan according to the website.

Grass fires can be common at this time of year as dead grasses dry quickly after snow cover melts and have the potential to burn hot and fast, especially in windy conditions.

(The Canadian Press)