For Immediate Release

August 20, 2010 - 1630 hours

Ministry of Forests and Range - Kamloops Fire Centre

KAMLOOPS – The Jade Wildfire is now 100 per cent contained after nearly a month of diligent fire suppression efforts from the BC Forest Service and out-of-province personnel.

Remaining fire activity is within the 2000 hectare fire perimeter and crews will complete fuel reduction burning on Jade Mountain if weather conditions are favourable. Firefighters are working to extinguish hotspots 50 metres in from fuel free zones. While fire officials are demobilizing unnecessary resources, mop-up and patrol will continue.

The Tweddle Creek wildfire, now estimated at 450 hectares, had an increase of fire activity overnight. It grew approximately 200 hectares in size as winds pushed the fire eastward down the Tweddle Creek drainage.

There is an evacuation alert in place for five homes on the east side of Ashnola Road below the wildfire. Residents affected can call the Lower Similkameen Band Office at 250 499-5528 for more information.

Hand guards are being established by nine firefighters on the east flank closest to structures. In addition to four helicopters bucketing on the fire, a dozer and an excavator are supporting ground crews. Airtankers completed work to lay fire retardant between homes and the fire perimeter. The Tweddle Creek wildfire is still in modified response because the steep terrain is inoperable and not safe for ground crews to action.

There is also an air quality advisory in place for the Kamloops and the Similkameen Valley areas. For more information please visit www.bcairquality.ca.

Since yesterday, the Kamloops Fire Centre has responded to two person-caused wildfires both of which were contained at less than one hectare in size. This season, the fire centre has responded to 230 wildfires: 134 person-caused and 96 lightning-caused.

For the latest information on fire activity, bans and restrictions and current conditions, visit the Wildfire Management Branch website at www.bcwildfire.ca. For Facebook and Twitter updates, as well as details about evacuation orders and alerts, road conditions and air quality advisories, go to www.firesafebc.ca.

Contact:

Michaela Swan
Fire Information Officer
250-554-5532
250-318-7456