An area restriction has been ordered around the Calcite Creek wildfire, burning 41 km south of Princeton.
The restriction takes effect Friday, August 9 at noon, and will remain in place until August 23, unless rescinded.
Alan McCartney, media officer working with BC Wildfire Service, said the restriction is in place “primarily to protect firefighters, but also the public.”
The protected area borders the fire south of Eastgate and encompasses an area through to the U.S. border and includes part of Highway 3 and Manning Park.
While it is permissible to use the highway, under the order, all Forest Service Roads are off-limits unless they are being used to access a primary residence or recreation property, provided the property is not under evacuation order.
Otherwise, the area can only used by firefighting personnel, or others on official business, or those who are managing agricultural operations.
According to BC Wildfire the Calcite blaze grew, over the previous evening, to 6,678 hectares.
“The fire, at about 7:30 last night, it took a bit of a run under a few wind changes,” said McCartney.
“Weather dictates what the fire does on any given day.”
McCartney, who is part of an Australian team assigned to manage the fire, said thunderstorms were predicted for Friday.
“It’s not a great thing for fighting fires...there is a possibility of lightning causing new ignitions,” he said.
“This fire is going to be burning for some time to come.”
The Calcite Creek wildfire was discovered July 18, and was caused by lightning.
