Community Meeting in Clinton Tonight

By 250 News

CLINTON – Lighter winds and cooler temperatures yesterday slowed growth on the Kelly Creek fire. Although there were significant afternoon flare-ups in several areas, these involved un-burnt fuels within the fire’s perimeter.

Crews are making progress constructing fire guards on the south flank of the Kelly Creek fire, and heavy equipment operators will begin constructing additional containment lines along the fire’s north flank today. Structural protection specialists continue to establish sprinkler systems to protect residences in the southern portion of the fire.

Additional resources continue to arrive to assist with fire suppression efforts. A heavy-lift helicopter, capable of bucketing 7,000 litres of water or fire retardant in one drop, is working the fire today. Five bucketing helicopters will assist the 74 ground crews by cooling hot spots and laying down lines of fire retardant. More heavy machinery has also arrived at the fire site; 11 machine operators are currently constructing fuel-free containment lines.

The fire has not grown significantly since Thursday, and fire behaviour around the perimeter has primarily been limited to Rank 2 and 3 ground fire. It is currently estimated at 11,000 hectares, or 110 km².

A community meeting will be held in the Clinton elementary school tonight at 6:00 p.m.

The Thompson Nicola and Squamish-Lillooet Regional Districts have issued evacuation orders and alerts in the vicinity of this fire. For more information, please contact the Emergency Operations Centre at 250-377-7188. Jesmond Road remains closed to the public.

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