Fire 80% contained

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

A wildfire that started three weeks ago in the Oliver area is now 80 per cent contained.

Crews have made progress on the Testalinden Creek fire, with the estimated size now at 4,375 hectares, according to fire information officer Rosalie MacAulay.

Today, fire crews are conducting a controlled burn on the northeast side to remove unburned fuel between the fire and the established guard, between Togo Creek and Reed Creek.

Because this northeast side continues to challenge crews, night operations started Thursday and are expected to continue tonight. This crew is patrolling the area to put out any hot spots outside the guard, said MacAulay.

There are currently 154 firefighters, 69 support staff, seven helicopters and seven pieces of heavy equipment on scene.

No homes are threatened at this time, but an evacuation alert remains in place for residents in the Fairview Road area and west of Oliver. An area closure also remains in effect for the entire fire zone.

For more information, go to the RDOS website.