UPDATE: Wildfire in Ellison Provincial Park ‘under control’

UPDATE: 2:20 p.m.
Wildfire in Ellison Provincial Park ‘being held’

Firefighters working on a wildfire in Ellison Provincial Park south of Vernon have reported the fire is being held and crews are establishing a fire guard on the perimeter of the fire.

Being held means a wildfire that is not likely to spread beyond predetermined boundaries under current conditions.

The BC Wildfire Service estimates the fire size at 0.6 hectares with the cause under investigation.

Crews from the BX Swan Lake Fire Department and Armstrong Spallumcheen Fire Department have been released and Vernon Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) remains on scene to assist BC Wildfire Service.

Eastside Road will soon be re-opened to traffic in both directions.

“VFRS would like to thank all fire services for their assistance with this emergency response and would also like to thank all boaters and water users for clearing the area quickly, so a helicopter could assist with an aerial attack,” a City of Vernon news release stated.

This afternoon, crews responding to a new wildfire start in the Vernon Zone observed a drone in the area. Transport Canada and the BC Wildfire Service explicitly prohibit the use of drones of any size near a wildfire. pic.twitter.com/gDZCFmVyjs

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 9, 2023

Further information will be provided on this fire as it becomes available.

UPDATE: 2:00 p.m.
Crews take action on wildfire in Ellison Provincial Park

Firefighters from Vernon, BX Swan Lake and the BC Wildfire Service are battling a wildfire in Ellison Provincial Park south of Vernon.

As of 2:00 p.m. Sunday, the fire was estimated to be 1 hectare in size.

Ground and aerial crews are attacking the fire.

As a precaution, RCMP are evacuating nearby beach areas and the Ellison Provincial Park campground.

Vernon Matters reporter Liam Verster says RCMP are blocking traffic on Eastside Road at Delcliffe Road to keep unneccessary vehicles out of the fire area.

Traffic being blocked at Eastside and Delcliffe roads. (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters photo)

“Members of the public are asked to stay away from the Ellison Provincial Park area,” a city news release stated. “Do not travel toward the area. This is for the safety of public and emergency responders, and to provide easier access for fire crews.”

The city said more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Wildfire in area of Ellison Provincial Park south of Vernon (submitted photo/Facebook)

Crews take action on wildfire near Ellison Park
1:21 p.m.

Crews are actioning a new wildfire south of Vernon in the area of Ellison Provincial Park.

Wildfire in Ellison Provincial Park (submitted photo/Facebook)

“The park is currently being evacuated. BC Wildfire will be responding with air tankers and a helicopter and crews are on their way,” Taylor Shantz from the BC Wildfire Service told Vernon Matters at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, July 9.

Shantz was not aware if the fire was within the park itself.

It was listed as spot sized as of 1 p.m.

The cause is not known.

Other than the park evacuation, there has been no word on any other evacuations at this point.

by Pete McIntyre

UPDATE: Wildfire in Ellison Provincial Park ‘under control’

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