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West Kelowna  

Fire above Peachland

UPDATE: 8:03 p.m.

BC Wildfire crews are working to establish containment on the blaze above the former Ponderosa Golf Course.

Air support is now grounded for the night.

Fire information officer Rachel Witt says 24 firefighters will remain on site overnight to put out hot spots.

While the wind did contribute to some flare-ups throughout the evening the fire is still considered a rank 2 blaze.

Cooler temperatures are expected overnight and into tomorrow which will assist firefighters in controlling the flames.

There is no plan to evacuate nearby homes as no structures are threatened.


UPDATE: 5:45 p.m.

The B.C. Wildfire service is preparing to take control of the Peachland blaze and release the local firefighters.

Fire Chief Dennis Craig says forestry is making good progress on the blaze which is moving away from town.

“The smoke has dissipated quite a bit and the wind is dying down. The air tankers have dropped lots of water on the fire,” explained Craig.

He says crews are digging a hand guard around the fire, although it is not yet contained.  

No structures are threatened by the flames.


UPDATE: 5 p.m.

The fire burning above the former Ponderosa Golf Course is now an estimated 1.5 hectares in size.

There are currently 24 firefighters from the B.C. Wildfire Service on site along with Peachland crews.

Fire information officer Rachel Witt says there are four skimmers on route to the area to assist three air tankers and a helicopter.

“They will remain on site until it’s dark and no longer safe for them to fly,” she explained.

The blaze is considered a rank 2 fire at this time. No structures are immediately threatened.


UPDATE 3:50 p.m.

Numerous air and ground crews continue to work to get a handle on a wildfire burning above the old Ponderosa Golf Course in Peachland.

The fire broke out about 2 p.m. this afternoon.

The fire was reported as 80 x 80 in size shortly before 3 p.m. Peachland Fire Chief Dennis Craig said he doesn't have an exact size, but believes it has grown a bit.

The first is displaying Rank 2 behaviour.

Firefighters from Peachland are working alongside three crews from the BC Wildfire Service. Air tankers are dropping retardant on the blaze. Helicopters are also on scene.

Craig said tankers are attempting to get a guard around the fire while his crews work to get a hose line into the fire.

No structures are threatened at this time.


UPDATE 2:45 p.m.

Peachland firefighters and crews from the province are battling a wildfire in the hills above Peachland.

Peachland Fire Chief Dennis Craig said the blaze is about 80x80 feet in size above the former Ponderosa Golf Course.

Craig said it is still just a ground fire. It has not yet got up into any trees.

No structures are being threatened by the fire.

Seven firefighters from Peachland are at the scene. The BC Wildfire Service has sent a team of six firefighters along with a helicopter and two tankers.


ORIGINAL: 2 p.m.

A small fire is burning in the hills above Peachland.

Calls came in to the Peachland Fire Department shortly before 2 p.m. this afternoon as smoke began to waft from the hills near the old Ponderosa Golf Course.

Pictures into Castanet show a light plume of smoke coming from the area.

More details when they become available.

Send pictures, video to [email protected].



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