It may not feel like wildfire season yet, but there are a quite a few burning around the province.

That includes a handful of wildfires of note in the Kamloops Fire Centre, which covers Thompson-Okanagan region and more.

The BC Wildfire Service reports that unseasonably warm and dry weather in the Kamloops Fire Centre resulted in heightened wildfire activity over the last week or so.

“Ground crews and support aircraft responded to a number of new wildfires, as the BC Wildfire Service simultaneously increased its response to the two largest fires in the region,” said the update.

“As of the morning of Tuesday, May 29, firefighters have made significant progress toward containing the three remaining ‘out of control’ wildfires.”

Chattaway Lake (65 hectares, about 27 kilometres northwest of Merritt)

• The BC Wildfire Service began responding to this incident after it was reported on Sunday, May 27.
• A line of fire retardant was established by aircraft, heavy equipment operators fully enclosed the fire with a fire guard, and ground crews are working to suppress hot spots from the fire's perimeter.
• As of 3 p.m. on Monday, May 28, aircraft had dropped 586,698 litres of water on this fire (not including fire retardant or water applied at ground level).
• These suppression efforts have decreased the need for additional air support and heavy equipment.
• Currently, 27 ground personnel (including contract crews) continue working on this fire.

Photo Credit: BC Wildfire Service

Allie Lake (2,739 hectares, about 55 kilometres northwest of Kamloops)

• The BC Wildfire Service has been responding with multiple firefighting resources since this fire was first reported on Wednesday, May 23. An incident management team was assigned to this fire on the weekend to direct response operations.
• The wildfire currently covers 2,739 hectares, but there are several areas of unburned forest or "green islands" within the fire's perimeter, resulting in a patchy burn pattern.
• Currently, 139 firefighters, seven helicopters and 12 pieces of heavy equipment are working to establish a fireguard around the perimeter.
• Crews have made significant progress containing this fire over the past few days, resulting in a decreased need for support from helicopters or airtankers.
• Structure protection units (large-scale sprinkler systems) have been deployed in some areas.
• For information about evacuation orders and alerts related to this wildfire, please contact the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.
• An area restriction is currently in effect for this wildfire. For details (including a map of the affected area), click this link.

Photo Credit: BC Wildfire Service

Xusum Creek (500 hectares, about 35 kilometres west of Lillooet near Anderson Lake)

• Significant progress has been made on this fire since the BC Wildfire Service began responding to it on Wednesday, May 23.
• An incident management team has been assigned to this fire to direct response operations.
• Air support, ground crews and heavy equipment operators have been working hard to control this fire. It is now 35% contained.
• As of Tuesday, May 29, 97 personnel (including contract firefighters) are assigned to the incident, with heavy equipment and air support assisting as needed.
• For information about evacuation orders and alerts related to this wildfire, please contact the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District.

Photo Credit: BC Wildfire Service