Despite record-breaking high temperatures in the Shuswap, the Salmon Arm Fire Zone has been relatively unscathed by fire.
Kayla Pepper, fire information officer, reported Tuesday there are no new active fires in the zone, with a total of five in the mop-up stage and three others in patrol status.
Patrol status means the fires are out but crews will return to check the site.
“These are all very, very small in size,” Pepper explained.
The most recent and closest fire started on Saturday, July 11 just east of Notch Hill, between Notch Hill and Chase. It grew to 0.1 hectare and is now out.
Since April 1, 24 fires have burned in the Salmon Arm zone, covering a total of seven hectares.
“That gives you an idea of how small those fires have been,” Pepper said.
Of the 24, 15 have been lightning-caused and nine were caused by humans.
Along with the recent drop in temperature, the amount of wildfire-related smoke has eased in the Shuswap.
On Monday, the Ministry of Environment ended the smoky skies advisory that was issued July 7.
“The weather system that is moving through the Southern Interior has reduced the amount of smoke carried into the region, resulting in improved air quality,” stated the ministry.
“These conditions are expected to continue over the next few days.”