The BC Wildfire Service is battling a new blaze in the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Fire Information Office Brenna Ward says this new wildfire is near Merritt with smoke clearly visible to passing traffic on the Coquihalla.

“The B.C. Wildfire Service is responding to an eight hectare fire that is about 27 kilometres northwest of Merritt. It is on the Chattawaway Lake Forest Service Road. So it is fairly remote up there. There are not any structures threatened at this time. As anyone in the area will be able to tell you there is a large column of white grey smoke that is visible from Merritt, Logan Lake, and the Coquihalla highway.”

Ward says air tankers are battling the flames along with eight firefighters and the Wildfire Service has requested more.

She says a cold front should arrive early this week with the hope it might help out on the wildfire front.