Kelowna

Boaters on Okanagan Lake who either don't know how far 400 metres is or just want a closer look continue to impede efforts to fight the Terrace Mountain fire.

Constable Steve Holmes again implored boaters to stay away from the area where helicopters and water bombers are refilling.

Holmes says boaters are being asked to use some common sense and go no further west than midway in the lake.

"We are strongly suggesting boaters stay from the active area of the lake extending from approximately Bear Creek to the Fintry Delta. The aircraft could be dipping anywhere along there," says Holmes.

"Of course, they are trying to take the shortest point from where they fill up to where they dump, but again, you have to consider we have 16 of these craft in the air working throughout the day."

Holmes says there have been a number of boats within the restricted area, saying they're 'lining up' to get a look. He adds that pilots fighting the fire are battling a number of factors and don't need the added hassle of navigating between boats.

"The wind is an issue, especially the wind now being created by the fire. They're battling the smoke, the geography of the fire itself, fatigue and time. There is only so much daylight that they have to work with and they have to make the most of it."

He says boaters who knowingly or unknowingly are getting in the way create one more obstacle they don't need to deal with.

Holmes says a police boat will be on the water patrolling the area as will a conservation office craft and a boat from the Lake Country Community Policing Office.

He says police have also had to deal with people attempting to access the restricted area by boat and even one swimmer, who came dangerously close to a water bucket.

"A man was out swimming in the water. He was told to leave and moments after he got back on shore and back to his residence, a helicopter came and dropped a bucket where he would have been swimming."