North Okanagan Fires Update

By Tom Mark

Aug 7, 2018 | 12:12 PM

Picture – BC Wildfire Service

Firefighters battling the 260 hectare Harris Creek Forest Service Road fire are working to establish a wide containment line around the fire to box it in.

The fire is burning out of control 16 kilometres southeast of Lumby and is expected to increase in behaviour today.

Twenty firefighters aided by bucketing helicopters are trying to to limit the spread of fire west into a slide area and south into the Greystokes Protected Area.

If conditions permit, small planned ignitions are scheduled for the north-northwest flank.

1.5 Hectare Blaze

Crews battling wildfire near Cherryville

1h ago

Too Hot for Dogs

Don't leave pets alone in hot vehicles: RCMP

2h ago

Smoky Skies

Air quality warning issued for the Okanagan

4h ago

Meanwhile, more accurate mapping increased the size of the Proctor Road fire 16 kilometres northeast of Lumby to 52 and a half hectares.

It is considered held and 13 firefighters assigned to it are spending the day increasing containment.

The Mable Creek fire has been downgraded to 86 and a half hectares from 200 due to more accurate mapping.

Crews today are continuing to build a guard to decrease the possibility of the fire jumping into the major drainage to the West of it.

The Sugar Mountain fire 4 kilometres east of Sugar Lake remains at 170 hectares.

Today, it is expected the fire behaviour will increase and smoke will be visible.

The fire is located in an area where there are heavy fuels and closed canopies that can be challenging if there are flare ups.

Steep terrain is also an issue.

An area restriction remains in place, meaning the public must not remain in or enter the restricted area without the prior written authorization of an official designated for the purposes of the Wildfire Act.

by Tom Mark