BX wildfire is out

Photo: Contributed

BX/Swan Lake Fire Chief Bill Wacey said the fire near Hartnell Road in the BX area is out.

Bill Wacey is a happy man.

The BX/Swan Lake Fire Chief is thrilled to see not so much as a hint of smoke coming from a hillside in the BX area.

Tuesday's lightning storm set the hillside on fire, but unlike the strikes in the Central and South Okanagan, this one did not result in a devastating blaze.

“I am staring right now at a nice great big huge red and burn spot out of my office window and there is not one wisp of smoke,” said Wacey Friday morning. “I'm a happy camper.”

There was potential for the fire to evolve into a major blaze, but Wacey said BC Wildfire crews knocked it down before it had a chance to take off.

“They beat the hell out of it with those aircraft and they must of had a ground crew in there to clean up,” said Wacey. “Yesterday morning it was still smoking in a few spots, but I see absolutely nothing this morning. They went in and did a great job with it.”

The fire started just past the end of Hartnell Road.

The BC Wildfire service is still listing the fire as active and 11 firefighters remain on scene.

Meanwhile, the Trinity Valley Wildfire, some 16 km south-east of Enderby is holding steady at one hectare.

According to a BC Wildfire tweet, there was very little growth overnight. The fire is being actioned by 13 firefighters and one helicopter.

Crews are continuing to battle a wildfire near Dee Lake in the King Eddie area between Coldstream and Lavington.

Coldstream Fire Chief Dave Sturgeon said the fire department is keeping a close eye on the fire, but it is being actioned by BC Wildfire crews.

It currently sits at seven hectares.