Wildfire Fight

By Tom Mark

Wildfire Fight

Jul 24, 2018 | 6:51 AM

Picture-Spences Bridge Fire – BC Wildfire Service

At last word a wildfire north of Spence’s Bridge was estimated at 80 hectares.

The fire began yesterday afternoon.

Air tankers dropped fire retardant in strategic locations to minimize further spread toward structures and small burn operations were used to remove surface-level forest fuels in the area.

Ground crews have been aided by helicopters with water buckets.

1.5 Hectare Blaze

Crews battling wildfire near Cherryville

11m ago

Too Hot for Dogs

Don't leave pets alone in hot vehicles: RCMP

1h ago

Smoky Skies

Air quality warning issued for the Okanagan

2h ago

Most of Spences Bridge remains on an evacuation alert after an evacuation order for three homes was rescinded last evening.

The Trans Canada Highway in the area was closed for a time but has reopened to single-lane alternating traffic with a pilot car escort.

Meanwhile, as of last night, the Mt Eneas wildfire near Peachland had grown to one thousand 793 hectares.

It is still considered out of control and the 124 firefighters assigned to it will continue to work with air support today to maintain containment on the west flank.

However, the BC Wildfire Service is concerned about gusty winds forecast for the region today and of course the continued dry weather with temperatures into the mid 30`s as the week progresses.

On the upside, The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre downgraded an evacuation order to an alert for five properties around Okanagan Lake Provincial Park and Highway 97, north of Summerland.

Meanwhile, the Goodes Creek Fire in Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park has grown to 577 Hectares.

But the BC Wildfire Service feels it has a handle on it.

Another fire in the Knox Mountain area of Kelowna.

Kelowna Fire crews were called out just before 12:30 this morning to a grass fire at the base of Knox Mountain off Trench Place.

It was about 100 feet x 100 feet and moving quickly up the hill towards Royal View Drive when firefighters got there.

Fortunately, winds were light and crews hit the flames at the base and then flanked it to contain it.

It grew to about 200 feet x 300 feet before being controlled and extinguished.

A Fire guard was put up and a crew left on scene for most of the night to keep an eye out for hot spots..

The fire is believed to have been started by transients and is not considered suspicious.

by Tom Mark