Grass fire near Merritt has scorched more than eight square kilometres

A grass fire east of Merritt has now scorched more than eight square kilometres as the BC Wildfire Service works to control it.

An official with the service says the size of the fire has been increased because of more accurate mapping and although it remains out of control, the fire behaviour is not extreme.

Nicole Bonnett says the fire in the Quilchena Creek area north of the Coquihalla Connector is a "larger" grass fire but isn't uncommon for this time of year.

The wildfire service lists the blaze as one of 13 currently active around B-C, including five started in the last two days, with more than half of them suspected of being caused by humans.

BC Wildfire Service on Twitter:

The BC Wildfire Service is continuing to respond to the Quilchena Creek wildfire (K60064) that was initially reported on Sunday April 4, 2021. The fire is located approximately 20 kilometers east of Merritt and is currently estimated at 839 hectares in size.