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Gates Creek wildfire east of Mabel Lake (Photo credit: BC Wildfire Service)
By Pete McIntyre
East of Enderby

New wildfire in North Okanagan shows early growth

Sep 8, 2022 | 5:20 PM

B.C. Wildfire crews are actioning a new wildfire east of Mabel Lake.

The Gates Creek fire was first discovered today and is already 286 hectares, but there are no structures threatened at this time.

“It is classified as out of control, and we currently have seven personnel and two helicopters working on it,” said Melanie Bibbau, fire information officer.

The cause is undetermined.

“Our crews are assessing the fire to see where heavy machinery may be able to be used, to establish guards and they are working in accessible areas of the fire,” Bibbau told Vernon Matters.

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Meantime, the Jack Creek fire west of Glenrosa in West Kelowna is estimated at 7.3 hectares and classified as out of control.

There are 19 personnel and helicopters actioning the fire.

Seventeen properties on Maxwell Road are on evacuation alert, north of the Okanagan Connector Highway 97-C/Trepanier Road access.

The cause of the fire is believed to be lightning.

Location of Gates Creek wildfire (in yellow) east of Enderby. (BC Wildfire Service)
by Pete McIntyre
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