Mara Mountain wildfire burning away from Sicamous: CSRD

SICAMOUS — The Mara Mountain fire is growing away from Sicamous, according to a news release issued on Saturday (July 20) by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District.

Lightning is the suspected cause of the fire, which was discovered on Thursday (July 18) burning seven kilometres southeast of Sicamous.

Listed at 29.2 hectares as of Saturday evening on the BC Wildfire Service website, the blaze is growing in a northeast direction and not threatening structures or populated areas.

The BC Wildfire Service has directed two heavy helicopters to work on the fire and continues to evaluate other firefighting options, noting it is difficult to access due to steep terrain.

The smoke plume from the fire is becoming increasingly visible to the public.

Meanwhile, spot fires discovered in recent days in the Perry River area and Upper and Lower Probity Creek Peak areas are small, remote and not threatening structures, according to the CSRD.