Photo: Carmen Weld

UPDATE Aug. 18, 10 a.m

The fire burning near Big White is now 50 per cent contained and is estimated at 70 hectares in size.

Fire crews remain on scene along with air support as they work to get the blaze under control.

UPDATE 4:30 P.M.

Melissa Klassen, fire information officer, said the fire was originally reported on Wednesday afternoon, but air tankers were not able to attack the blaze until Sunday because of visibility issues.

“We did have air tankers action it this afternoon. They have been working on it for a couple hours,” said Klassen said Sunday. “We have a total of 13 people on site.”

Klassen said the fire is rank one and two.

“So primarily, it is a smoldering ground fire with some open flame,” she said, adding it is not an interface fire and no structures are being threatened.

“They have retardant around 85 per cent of the fire.”

The fire is believed to have been caused by lightning.

Natalia Jastrzab tells Castanet this is the Clark Lake fire which Big White Fire Department has been monitoring since Thursday. At this point there is no current danger to the resort and Big White road remains open.

There is a report of a wildfire burning near Big White.

Castanet reporter Carmen Weld spotted smoke in the Big White-Beaverdell area while on her way to cover the community meeting in Midway.

Unofficial reports have the fire at 60 hectares and it is being actioned by air tankers.

The fire is in the South East Fire District and Castanet is trying to get more information.

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