Vernon Matters file photo

By Liam Verster

Firefighting Operations

Boaters reminded to stay clear of helicopters as firefighting operations continue

Aug 1, 2024 | 5:00 PM

People out on the lake are reminded to give bucketing helicopters plenty of space.

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District said the B.C. Wildfire Service was conducting bucketing operations in the Two Mile and Swansea Point areas near Sicamous in response to the Mara Mountain wildfire Thursday, August 1.

However, recreational boaters were getting in the way of operations and making it more difficult for the helicopters to fill their buckets, and the CSRD reminds people to stay away from BCWS operations.

“If boaters see active helicopter traffic, please move along. Mara and Shuswap Lakes are very large, so there’s plenty of space to boat safely without disrupting firefighting efforts,” the CSRD stated on its website.

At last update from the BCWS, the Mara Mountain wildfire was still estimated at 290 hectares Thursday,, with minimal growth over the past 48 hours.

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The fire east of Sicamous had a ground team of 15 BCWS members assigned to it, who were working on establishing a route for heavy machinery to be brought in to the scene.

Elsewhere in the region, the BCWS said there had been no growth over the past two days at the scene of the 1,993 hectare Sitkum Creek wildfire near Sugar Lake, northeast of Lumby and Cherryville.

The provincial firefighting service said on its website that a team of 32 wildland firefighters remain assigned to the blaze and were actioning the western flank.

That operation was being supported by two danger tree fallers, and a machine guard had been established along the western end.

The BCWS said both the Mara Mountain and Sitkum Creek wildfire were still considered Out of Control Thursday, and both were suspected of being caused by lightning.