B.C.'s Rock Creek fire partially contained but still growing
Wildfire still active as dry, hot weather continues throughout the region
The wildfire at Rock Creek in British Columbia's southern Interior has been partially contained but is still growing, says the province's wildfire service.
Fire information officer Mike McCully said the fire grew to about 40 square kilometres from 39 square kilometres overnight.
"Some of that is due to better mapping that we have now, but we did see some growth on the east side of the fire," said McCully.
"But we're able to confirm that we now have the fire 25 per cent contained, which really reflects the hard work the crews have been doing out there over the last few days."
Fire containment refers to how much of a barrier crews have been able to establish around it.
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McCully says it's still an aggressive fire, and the area will see even warmer temperatures Wednesday than it did on Tuesday.
More than 100 firefighters, seven helicopters and 14 pieces of heavy equipment are working to contain it.
'There's nothing left'
The wildfire started on Thursday and spread quickly, prompting hundreds to flee. At least 30 homes and 15 other buildings have been destroyed by the blaze.
Gaetan Harton is the owner of one of those homes.
"There's nothing left," he said. "Everything burned.
"It's not too nice to see."
He has been living with a friend downtown since he was forced to flee his home along with hundreds of other residents on Thursday night.
Harton said his neighbour's newly built home was also razed by the fire.
On Monday, one of the evacuation orders in place was downgraded to an evacuation alert for 242 properties — meaning residents could go home, but may have to leave again on a moment's notice.
An evacuation order is still in place for another 137 properties.
With files from Farrah Merali and Meera Bains