(UPDATE: August 10 @ 9:45 p.m.) – BCWS has maintained a grip on the Monte Lake wildfire for the last several days and will be removing it from the list of wildfires of note. 

Monte Lake's fire ignition has not yet been determined and is still under investigation.

There were 16 personnel on site Friday with two water tenders aiding them.

(UPDATE: August 7 @ 7:45 p.m.) – The Monte Lake wildfire has not experienced any recorded change since Monday evening's report. 

(UPDATE: August 6 @ 6:45 p.m.) – The Monte Lake is now sized at 114 hectares in comparison to the 60-hectare measurement recorded on Sunday.

However, the apparent expansion of the wildfire was not due to growth, but a more thorough mapping of the area says BCWS. 

"If we do an aerial mapping it's not quite as accurate as being down on the ground and if it's mostly the understory that's burnt and not the canopy, then it's pretty hard to see some of what we call fingers or excursions," said Nicole Bonnett, Fire Information Officer with Kamloops Fire Centre, explaining that "fingers" can spread out the same as fingers on one's hand do from the base of a fire.

The fire remains 100% guarded and is being held with 16 personnel on site with two water tenders, heavy equipment and air support to assist if needed.

(UPDATE: August 5 @ 7 p.m.) – The 60-hectare wildfire that sparked on Wednesday near Monte Lake is now considered being held by BCWS, meaning they are not expecting the fire to grow outside its current perimeter. 

34 personnel were attending to the fire today with four pieces of heavy equipment and air support as needed. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(UPDATE: August 3 @ 5 p.m.) – The Monte Lake wildfire is estimated at 60 hectares today.

The blaze started on August 1, and an initial estimate put it at 22 hectares in size.

There are currently 20 firefighters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment on site.

This fire is not threatening any homes or structures at this time.

(Original Story: August 1)

A fire has sparked southwest of Westwold, just below Highway 97 between Vernon and Kamloops. 

(1/3) The Kamloops Fire Centre continues to respond to a number of new fires from the past 24 hrs. The Monte Lake #BCwildfire is ~22 ha, located ~45 km SE of #Kamloops, and is displaying aggressive behaviour. 16 personnel are responding with support from airtankers and equipment.

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 1, 2018

The Monte Lake wildfire has attracted some attention since its ignition on Wednesday, currently being actioned by 16 personnel, six pieces of heavy equipment as well as air support attacking the fire during today.

The fire is estimated to be burning at 22 hectares and displaying "aggressive behaviour," reports BCWS.

Planes are on the new #Monte Lake #wildfire. ⁦⁩ Stay safe everyone! pic.twitter.com/v1ReOP1PGa

— Renaissance Farm (@SbredsFarm) August 1, 2018

NowMedia will update this story with more information as it becomes available.