The fire broke out in the Cosen's Bay area Friday afternoon. (Submitted photo/Helen Bennett)

By Liam Verster & Pete McIntyre

Cosens Creek Fire

UPDATE: Wildfire in Kalamalka Lake Park now ‘under control’

Aug 20, 2022 | 12:30 PM

UPDATE: 12:30 p.m.
Aug. 20, 2022

The wildfire in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park south of Vernon is now under control.

Coldstream Fire Department on scene at Cosens Creek fire in Kal Lake Provincial Park. Photo credit: Coldstream Fire Hall/Facebook)

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The Cosens Creek fire near Coldstream was first reported Friday afternoon and was very visible from Highway 97 to the west.

“It’s now classified as under control. It’s estimated at 4.6 hectares in size. There is eight personnel on scene today and they’re working to mop-up the interior of the fire with assistance from a water tender,” Shaelee Stearns, information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service, told Vernon Matters. 

Cosens Creek fire (Photo credit: Coldstream Fire Hall/Facebook)

Stearns said they had air tankers and helicopters on the site Friday night.

“The were highly effective and definitely helped out fire crews on the ground today,” Stearns added.

The cause of the fire is suspected to be human caused but under investigation.

Cosens Creek fire on Friday, Aug. 19. (Photo credit: Coldstream Fire Hall/Facebook)

Elsewhere in the North Okanagan, the Viem Creek fire east of Spallumcheen is now estimated at three hectares, a figure that’s gone down from ten hectares due to more accurate mapping.

It has 25 firefighters on site today (Saturday).

“They’re working to establish a fire guard with heavy machinery around the fire, and then there will be helicopters bucketing as well,” Stearns informed.

That fire, which was discovered Friday evening,  is believed to be human caused, but under investigation.

==

UPDATE: Wildfire in Kalamalka Lake Park; new size estimate

7:00 a.m. Aug. 20, 2022

The Cosens Creek fire in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park is now estimated at 4.6 hectares in size.

Crews are back of the scene this morning, dousing any hot spots and further containing it.

It is suspected to be human caused.

There is another new fire east of Armstrong near Viem Creek that is estimated at ten hectares, and believed to be person-caused.

==

UPDATE:  6:40 p.m.

The good news is that the wildfire in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park hasn’t grown since this afternoon, but it is still officially classified as out of control.

The BC Wildfire Service told Vernon Matters this evening that the Cosens Creek fire is still estimated at one hectare in size with crews working on it.

“We have nine personnel and four helicopters responding to the fire and the cause is still under investigation,” Shaelee Stearns, information officer, said.

The Wildfire Service dashboard says its suspected to be person caused.

Air tankers and helicopters were working at the site after the fire was first discovered around 3 p.m.

The Coldstream Fire Department is also at the scene.

Stearns says there may be an updated size once more information is available, but no further updates are expected tonight.

No evacuation alerts or orders have been issued as a result of the fire.

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UPDATE: 4:50 p.m. Friday, Aug 19

The B.C. Wildfire Service says the Cosens Creek wildfire is still classified as out of control and was an estimated one hectare in size.

As of time of publication, crews were on the scene and firefighting efforts were underway.

“We have nine personnel (on the ground) and four helicopters are responding to [the fire], along with air tanker support that happened earlier this afternoon and into this later afternoon and as soon as they are done the helicopters will return to the fire,” Shaelee Stearns of the B.C. Wildfire Service confirmed with Vernon Matters.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

— ORIGINAL STORY 3:35 p.m. —

A wildfire broke out near Cosens Bay in Kalamalka Park Friday afternoon.

The B.C. Wildfire Service confirmed at 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 19 that teams were on the way to the scene of what is officially being called the Cosens Creek wildfire.

“There’s likely a bird dog tankers in the area, they will be highly visible,” Ayden Corey with the B.C. Wildfire Service confirmed with Vernon Matters.

“We do have ground crews on route, but I don’t have an exact number right now. But we do have crews on route.”

As of time of publication no skimmers were assigned to the fire, though if they eventually are deployed they will need to access the lake to fill up.

“When firefighting aircraft such as airtankers like skimmers or helicopters are working on an active wildfire and picking up water from nearby lakes, they need plenty of room to manoeuvre to do their job safely,” said the B.C. Wildfire Service in an email to Vernon Matters.

“In the interest of air crew and public safety, people are urged to use common sense and keep their boats well away from areas where airtankers or helicopters are operating.”

The B.C. Wildfire Service does not have an estimated size for the blaze, nor does it have any indication for how it sparked at this time.