Spring Lake wildfire west of Peachland (BC Wildfire Service photo)

By Russ Byth & Pete McIntyre

Update

New wildfire in Okanagan ‘being held’

Jul 11, 2024 | 3:05 PM

UPDATE 3 p.m.

The wildfire west of Peachland is now being held, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

The Spring Lake fire is estimated at 2.6 hectares in size, and is believed to be human caused.

Being held is defined as a fire that is projected, based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary.

It’s one of 150 active fires in B.C.

Historical Data and Trends

New online tool allows people to learn about the Okanagan's climate trends

35m ago

Drought Level 3

Okanagan drought conditions remain at Level 3

3h ago

Upper 30s over the weekend

Heat wave to settle over Okanagan, Interior for the long weekend

4h ago

Crews action new wildfire in Okanagan
July 11, 2024

As the winds picked up Wednesday afternoon, a wildfire was spotted west of Peachland.

The BC Wildfire Service says it’s located about 4.5 km away from the community and a photo showed it burning in trees between two hills.

Air tankers, helicopters, a skimmer group, along with initial attack and ground crews were all dispatched to the area.

“The Spring Lake wildfire (K50842) is displaying rank 2-3 behaviour, meaning the fire has an open flame and moderate rate of spread. No values are threatened at this time,” the BCWS said on Wednesday evening.

As of 9:30 a.m. Thursday, the fire was estimated at 2.2 hectares in size and is classified as out of control.

The blaze is believed to be human caused.

Meantime, the number of active wildfires in B.C. is ticking up as hot, sunny weather persists in much of the central and southern Interior, while a cold front carrying the risk of thunderstorms and dry lightning is expected across the north today.

There are about 150 blazes with 48 new ones since Wednesday.

A province-wide campfire ban is set to take effect Friday at noon, except for Haida Gwaii.