Photo: BCWS

Marina Creek wildfire, August 10, 2022

The Maria Creek wildfire is no longer a wildfire of note, according to BC Wildfire Service.

As of Saturday Morning, the wildfire burning 6 kilometres northeast of Pavilion has been removed as a notable wildfire.

BCWS fire information officer Roslyn Johnson a fire is classified as a wildfire of note if it is highly visible or it is impacting human safety.

“At this point, this fire is remote, it’s burning at kind of upper elevations and a long way away from any sort of community,” Johnson said.

According to BCWS, the Maria Creek wildfire sits at 1004.3 hectares in size.

Johnson said 42 firefighters, one helicopter and five pieces of heavy equipment are still working on the fire.

She said crews are continuing actions along the fire perimeter and patrolling for hotspots, as they have been the last couple of days.

“[Crews are] walking the ground and finding hotspots and then they action those hotspots as they find them,” Johnson said.

The Watching Creek wildfire remains held at 270 hectares, meaning it is not expected to grow.

“It’s honestly a status quo over at Watching [Creek] as well,” Johnson told Castanet Kamloops.

Johnson said there are 57 firefighters, two helicopters and one piece of heavy equipment on scene.

BCWS said crews are continuing to mop up Saturday.

“[Crews are] progressively working their way around the fire, pushing deeper as they get the perimeter out, they'll move inwards from the edge,” Johnson said.

She said while neither Watching Creek or Maria Creek are classified as wildfires of note, they are still being worked on.

“They're definitely priority and certainly are well resourced with that priority,” Johnson said.

“We do have aerial infrared scanning happening to support crews with their locating of hotspots. So that will happen again tonight and the crews will be able to action those hotspots tomorrow.”

Watching Creek campground remains closed.