Skip to content

Similkameen seeing smoke from 30,000 acre U.S. fire

Smoke in Keremeos is coming from Washington fire.
8285665_web1_diamondcreekfire
Residents of the Lower Similkameen are seeing smoke in the sky from the Diamond Creek fire. This aerial photo was taken of the 30,000 acre fire earlier this month. (image from facebook)

Smoke that is visible in Keremeos late Monday afternoon is coming from the Diamond Creek fire in Washington.

A media officer from the Kamloops Fire Centre said a number of people have called in about the smoke but there is no indication that a new fire burning in the area at the time of the call.

“There is a fire burning very close to the border and that’s where the smoke is coming from,” the media officer said.

The Diamond Creek fire has been burning for more than a month and has consumed in excess of 30,000 acres.

The fire was reported July 23 by a hiker in the Pasayten Wilderness in Washington State.

The cause of the fire has been determined human caused. An investigation is underway.

The fire is about 40 per cent contained but isn’t expected to be out until winter brings wet snow.