Rock Creek Wildfire Doubles in Size

UPDATE (8:30am): This fire has grown again in size. The latest update on the situation can be found here.

Original Story:

The wildfire burning near Rock Creek has significantly grown overnight and is now an estimated 800 hectares in size.

devastating forest fire approaching my family home where i grew up #Westbridge #RockCreek pic.twitter.com/p379Q4Xbnb

— Sam Nakatsu (@SamNakatsu) August 14, 2015

The wildfire spread quickly after it was discovered around 1:30 p.m. Thursday, August 13^th north west of Rock Creek. An evacuation is in place for people in the Kettle River Provincial Park as well as those living on Christian Valley Road to Fiva Creek. Evacuees are directed north, up the Christian Valley Road to Lumby. Evacuees from Rock Creek to Westbridge are being directed Willow Park Church in Kelowna on Highway 33. Approximately 200 campers have been evacuated along with 240 homes in the area.

According to the BC Wildfire Service, despite continued efforts of airtankers and ground crews, wind and high temperatures are hampering the efforts of firefighters. The cause of the wildfire is still under investigation.

Rock Creek fire at 8:30pm. Hwy 3 just west of the Hwy 33 intersection. Please stay out of the area. #Kootenays pic.twitter.com/ld42WxiIdS

— W Kootenay District (@TranBC_WestKoot) August 14, 2015

There is 36 BC Wildfire Service personnel working alongside the Midway Fire Department and an additional 40 BC Wildfire Service personnel arrived at the fire Thursday evening. A 20-person sustained action crew remained on site overnight assisting with structure protection. A type 1 Incident Management Team will be arriving at the fire on Friday.

The fire remains zero per cent contained and both Highway 3 and 33 are closed as a result of the wildfire.