The section of the Heather Lake wildfire burning adjacent to Highway 3 has been extinguished, according to Julia Caranci, communications assistant with the Coastal Fire Centre.

“We have extinguished the parts of the fire north of the Similkameen and are mopping up,” Caranci told Black Press.

The highway area became a priority for BC Wildfire Sunday Oct. 9, after the fire – refueled by high weekend winds – jumped the Similkameen River between Mule Deer Creek and Hampton Creek.

Wednesday Oct. 12, there were 22 firefighters working on the site, assisted by one helicopter.

The size of the blaze has been re-estimated at 14,970 hectares.

“(That is) in part due to more accurate mapping. We had a period of poor flying weather followed by the cold front over Thanksgiving, but we were able to fly over the fire yesterday and visibility was good.”

The last reported measurement of the fire was Sept. 15, after it had been declared held.

Related: Fire ban extended in Kamloops Fire Centre

Related: UPDATE: Second blaze begins north of McDougall Creek wildfire above West Kelowna

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email:andrea.demeer@similkameenspotlight.com