Crews are continuing to battle the St. Mary Wildfire, which is now an estimated 800 hectares.
BC Wildfire Service officials said winds picked up Tuesday afternoon and into the evening, which drove increased fire behaviour.
Similar weather is expected today.
Officials said Rank 4 fire behaviour was observed, which means a moderate or faster rate of spread.
Air tankers have been dropping retardant to try to slow the spread, while skimmers have been working to cool priority areas of the fire.
A 22-person unit crew arrived yesterday and is trying to clean up the fire’s edge adjacent to the St. Mary’s River.
Attack crews are also stationed in the LD Ranch Road area, for after-hours monitoring.
BC Wildfire Service crews and the Cranbrook and Kimberley fire departments have been working together on structure defence and protection.
The evacuation order at alerts remains in place.
The BC Wildfire Service confirmed yesterday that homes and buildings have been lost by the fire, but no word yet on the number.
MORE: RDEK expands St. Mary River wildfire evacuation alert (July 18, 2023)
