UPDATE: Richter Mountain wildfire now being held

(UPDATE: Aug. 15 @ 8:20 am): The Richter Mountain wildfire is now being held by firefighters.

The blaze, 17 kilometres west of Osoyoos along Hwy 3, is listed as 78 hectares in size.

"Since this fire was discovered, crews worked to build a hand guard up slope on either side of the fire and were supported by both helicopters and air tankers to suppress the fire burning in steep terrain at high elevations," BCWS said.

"The wildfire is not likely to spread beyond determined containment lines due to the suppression carried out by the BC Wildfire Service.

"Crews will continue to work the fire to extinguish areas of heat and flame in the coming days."

(UPDATE: Aug. 14 @ 11 am) – No significant growth has been recorded at the Richter Mountain wildfire which started on Friday.

Fire information officer Forrest Tower confirmed that the fire, which is about 17 km west of Osoyoos, has grown to about 78 hectares.

The incident management team, which is also assigned to the Keremeos Creek wildfire, is expecting the fire to be classified as held in the coming days.

There have been about 32 personnel on scene since the fire broke out. They have been supported by helicopters as needed.

There are three fire camps in place across the province located in Cache Creek, Oliver and Elko. They are housing firefighters and support personnel who are working on the Maria Creek, Keremeos Creek, Richter Mountain, Connell Ridge, Cummings Creek and Weasel Creek wildfires.

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 13, 2022

“At this point, crews have kind of just worked from the highway where it started and have worked on the left and right hand side,” explained Tower.

“(They) have progressed up the hill and they pretty much have a line on either side of it.”

Crews are now working to complete the containment line around the top of the fire.

Tower added that no growth is expected unless windy conditions move into the area, however, this is not anticipated over the next few days.

As of Sunday, Highway 3 remains open and there is no threat to traffic. Additionally, no structures have been threatened or damaged by the fire.

Fortunately, no downward winds have impacted the area and an evacuation alert that was rescinded on Friday has not been remained rescinded.

(UPDATE: Aug. 12 @ 5:45 pm) - The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has rescinded the evacuation alert's put in place for the Sumac Rd area in Electoral Area “B” RDOS along Hwy 3.

Wildfire crews remain on the scene as they work to contain the fire.

Drivers are asked to be cautious while going through the area due to smoke and personnel working along the road.

No other updates have been provided for the Richter Mountain wildfire.

(ORIGINAL STORY: Aug. 12 @ 10:50 am) - The BC Wildfire Service is responding alongside the Keremeos Fire Department to a new wildfire in the South Okanagan.

The out-of-control Richter Mountain wildfire is located just off Hwy 3 around 17 kilometres west of Osoyoos.

According to the BCWS, it is 40 hectares in size and despite the heavy lightning activity on Thursday night, it’s suspected to be human-caused.

There was a vehicle fire in the area overnight.

There are currently 33 BCWS personnel responding to the new fire with support from one water tender and aerial resources.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen's emergency operations centre has already issued an evacuation alert in relation to the fire.

It affects around 30 addresses on Hwy 3 and Sumac Road. At this time, traffic on Hwy 3 is not impacted.

If the name of this new fire sounds familiar, it’s because there was a blaze in the same area that was also called the Richter Mountain wildfire back in 2019 and it reached 403 hectares in size.

NowMedia will update this story as more information becomes available.