Photo: Contributed - Wildfire Management Branch

The large fire burning in the wilderness west of Osoyoos continues to burn today, but is travelling in a favourable direction.

The fire near Newby Lake in the Snowy Protected Area grew 40 hectares yesterday and now sits at approximately 160 hectares. Despite this growth, Kayla Pepper, fire information officer, said it is moving higher into the alpine and towards a rocky, and less fuel-filled area.

“It was actually pushing towards the alpine and self-extinguishing on the south flank,” Pepper said.  “Which is what we were hoping for.”

While crews initially had problems getting to the fire due to the steep terrain, Pepper said a twenty-person team and two helicopters were able to access it early yesterday.

There are currently no crews fighting the fire at this point, as these resources were pulled away and sent to fight the fire in the Joe Rich area. Pepper said they are looking to bring those crews back to the Newby Lake fire today.