BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) crews continue to respond to a wildfire between Hope and Lytton.
According to the latest update from BC Wildfire Service on Wednesday morning (April 29), the Ferrabee fire near Hell’s Gate remains out of control. BCWS defines out-of-control blazes as spreading or anticipated to spread beyond their current perimeter.
“This wildfire does not currently pose a threat to structures, critical infrastructure or public safety,” the update reads.
The blaze was discovered on Thursday afternoon (April 23) and was estimated to be 27 hectares in size on Saturday (April 25) and 36 hectares on Monday (April 27). The fire has since grown to 53 hectares.
Approximately two dozen ground personnel are responding to the blaze alongside aerial support.
Previous updates from BCWS noted that much of the fire was burning in steep terrain inoperable for ground crews. The increase from 27 hectares on Saturday to 36 hectares on Monday reflected “slow growth across slope in inoperable terrain”.
Crews conducted a small planned ignition on Monday afternoon to try connect an established containment line along the rock slope with the highway.
“A successful planned ignition was conducted April 27, which allowed crews to better control the burn severity along the rock slope, bring the fire’s edge down from inoperable terrain, and enhance containment lines,” Wednesday’s update reads.
The blaze is visible from the highway and nearby communities, and BC Wildfire Service said periodic lane closures on Highway 1 are possible due to crews and equipment working.
The wildfire is believed to be human-caused.