The Anstey Arm wildifre in the Shuswap (photo courtesy of the B.C. Wildfire Service)

By Liam Verster

Wildfire Activity

Wildfire near Echo Lake Under Control, but others in the area continue to burn

Jul 22, 2024 | 1:15 PM

The wildfire that sparked an Evacuation Alert east of Lumby was downgraded Monday.

The B.C. Wildfire Service stated the Bonneau Creek wildfire near Echo Lake was considered Under Control as of 11:16 a.m. July 22.

The fire suspected of being caused by lightning sparked the previous Friday and burned an estimated 2.3 hectares of terrain.

Though the fire was downgraded, the Regional District of North Okanagan’s Evacuation Alert remained in place for the DVM Bible Camp and two dozen properties on Creighton Valley Road. People in the affected area are advised to have grab-and-go bags at the ready, plans in place for managing livestock, and emergency plans in place for finding accommodation and making sure family members, friends, pets and neighbours can get out of the area if the alert is upgraded to an Evacuation Order.

The BCWS noted a team of 13 wildland firefighters as well as four helicopters were still assigned to the Bonneau Creek fire as of Monday.

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Meanwhile, a number of other wildfires remain active in the North Okanagan and Shuswap Monday afternoon.

The B.C. Wildfire Service said two fires east of Sugar Lake remained Out of Control. The Sitkum Creek wildfire was last estimated at 58 hectares in size Saturday, while the Outlet Creek Forest Service Road fire was 24 hectares as of Sunday afternoon. The BCWS confirmed with Vernon Matters that a team of 17 firefighters were on the ground fighting the Outlet Creek wildfire Monday, and the Sitkum Creek fire was being monitored but no crews were assigned to it as it’s located in a hard to reach area.

The Mara Mountain wildfire east of Sicamous remained the largest wildfire in the area at 220 hectares as of 11:14 a.m. Monday morning. The fire was still classified as Out of Control and suspected of being caused by lightning, with no resources assigned to it as it was located in a steep, inaccessible area that firefighting crews could not reach. The BCWS did note it was monitoring the fire and may deploy aircraft if necessary.

Elsewhere in the Shuswap, seven other fires continued to burn in the Shuswap Monday.

Two fires were discovered between Canoe Point and Eagle Bay Monday morning. They were discovered at around 10 a.m. and considered spot fires, with the BCWS noting there was a crew assigned to the one near White Lake.

There were two fires in the Anstey Arm area, one that sparked at around 9:35 a.m. Monday and was estimated at 90m², while the one closest to the Shuswap Lake that sparked Wednesday, July 17, was estimated at 3.5 hectares in size Sunday. The BCWS told Vernon Matters an initial attack crew consisting of four members were assigned to the two fires and were being assisted by air tankers.

There were also three wildfires northeast of the lake.

The Perry River Valley fire, which was discovered Friday evening, was estimated at two hectares Sunday. A ground crew of eight firefighters, with assistance from one piece of heavy equipment, were actioning the blaze Monday.

The Upper Probity Peak fire was discovered Saturday morning and estimated at 0.3 hectares that afternoon, while the Lower Probity Peak that was also found that same day was estimated at 90m². Those fires were located in inaccessible areas so no resources were assigned to them.

There were also two wildfires in the South Okanagan Monday.

The BCWS said a 90m² wildfire was located at Callan Road along Highway 97, north of Penticton, Monday. No resources were assigned to that fire.

The BCWS also said a 90m² fire was discovered at Upper Togo Creek west of Oliver Monday morning, but it had been declared out by 12:25 p.m.

All the aforementioned wildfires were suspected of being caused by lightning strikes.