Stock photo courtesy of the B.C. Wildfire Service / Flickr

By Liam Verster

Wildfire Activity

UPDATE: Ireland Creek fire now Under Control

Jun 16, 2025 | 1:33 PM

— UPDATE 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 17 —

The fire that has been burning northeast of Lumby for nearly a week is now Under Control.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says that classification means suppression efforts have ensured the wildfire will not spread beyond the current perimeter.

The BCWS confirmed all the resources assigned tot he fire were still at the site, and were actively patrolling the scene and extinguishing hot spots.

The fire near Sugar Lake was also deemed Out earlier Tuesday.

Highway alerts

Two orange rainfall warnings issued as heavy rain threatens southern B.C. highways

1h ago

Missing Snowmobilers

Three sledders, two whom were missing for days, rescued from Hunters Range area

2h ago

Council grants

Vernon to distribute over $50k in Council Discretionary Grants, $20K to the food bank

Dec 14, 2025

— UPDATE 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 17 —

The wildfire near Sugar Lake is no longer burning.

The B.C. Wildfire Service said the 0.9 hectare fire northeast of Lumby was considered Out as of 10:42 a.m. Tuesday.

The 8.77 hectare Ireland Creek wildfire, also northeast of Lumby, was still classified as Being Held, meaning that, based on conditions and firefighting efforts, the fire was not expected to spread beyond the established perimeter.

A unit crew, a Rapattack (helicopter rappel) crew, an initial attack crew, two water tenders, and one additional member were assigned to the Ireland Creek as of Tuesday morning.

The BCWS stated the suspected cause of both fires were lightning strikes.

— UPDATE 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 17 —

One of two wildfires in the North Okanagan is no longer a matter of concern.

The B.C. Wildfire Service said the 0.9 hectare fire near Sugar Lake, northeast of Lumby, was reclassified as Under Control, meaning suppression efforts have ensured the wildfire will not spread beyond the current perimeter.

The BCWS had one initial attack crew and one water tender assigned to that fire.

Meanwhile, the 8.77 hectare Ireland Creek wildfire, also northeast of Lumby, was still classified as Being Held, meaning that, based on conditions and firefighting efforts, the fire was not expected to spread beyond the established perimeter.

A unit crew, a Rapattack (helicopter rappel) crew, an initial attack crew, two water tenders, and one additional member were assigned to the Ireland Creek as of Tuesday morning.

The BCWS stated the suspected cause of both fires were lightning strikes.

— Original Story —

The B.C. Wildfire Service is responding to two wildfires northeast of Lumby in the North Okanagan, both of which are classified ‘being held’.

The BCWS reported a 0.9 hectare wildfire near Sugar Lake Sunday, June 15.

As of 1:30 p.m. Monday, the fire was considered ‘being held’, meaning it was not expected to spread beyond the perimeter.

A Fire Information Officer with BCWS said an Initial Attack Crew and a bucketing helicopter were assigned to the fire, which was Rank 1 and just a smoldering ground fire.

Meanwhile, the 8.77 hectare Ireland Creek wildfire discovered on June 11 was also still considered Being Held Monday. The BCWS said it had a Rapattack (helicopter rappel) crew, a helicopter, a unit crew, and an initial attack crew assigned to that fire.

Both wildfires were suspected of being caused by lighting strikes.