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UPDATE: 7:15 a.m.
After Monday's favourable conditions, fire crews from multiple jurisdictions were able to make good progress on the Bear Creek wildfire, holding the blaze at 60 per cent containment.
Fire crews from West Kelowna, Peachland, Joe Rich and the North Westside fire departments, along with the BC Wildfire Service, spent Monday night extinguishing hot spots and monitoring the fire.
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says there may be a considerable amount of smoke coming from the fire area today, as crews continue to put out hot spots.
Despite the progress that's been made, 105 properties remain evacuated in Traders Cove and Bear Creek Provincial Park.
RCMP officers continue to patrol the evacuated areas.
An evacuation alert remains in place for 51 properties along Bear Creek Road, north of Parkinson Road, and 14 properties in the Pine Point subdivision. Those under an evacuation alert must be prepared to leave their homes immediately.
Westside Road remains closed between Bear Creek Provincial Park and Traders Cove.
Campers who were evacuated from Bear Creek Provincial Park will be allowed back into the campgrounds temporarily to retrieve their possessions and vehicles, beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday.
UPDATE: 6:15 a.m.
With no new information from Central Okanagan Emergency Operations overnight, the Bear Creek wildfire appears to be holding at 60 per cent containment.
As of 7 p.m., Monday, the fire was estimated at 52.5 hectares in size.
Castanet has made contact with the BC Wildfire Service, and will update this morning's conditions as soon as information becomes available.
As of 6:15 a.m., current weather conditions were calm and clear, with a temperature of 12 C. Today's high is forecast at 25 C under mostly sunny skies.
UPDATE 7:15 p.m.
Information received from the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre indicates the Bear Creek wildfire is now 60 per cent contained.
There has been no change in the size of the fire. It remains at 52.5 hectares in size.
It is the second largest fire in the Kamloops Fire District this year.
Only the Pike Mountain Road fire Northwest of Princeton, at 92.5 hectares, was larger.
UPDATE: 4:20 p.m.
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says the Bear Creek wildfire is now 30 per cent contained.
The burned area is holding at an estimated 52.5 hectares.
UPDATE: 1:15 p.m.
The Bear Creek wildfire is now estimated at 52.5 hectares in size.
The BC Wildfire Service says there has only be minimal growth on the fire this morning and afternoon and the increase in size is due to crews getting a better estimation of the size of the fire itself.
Four skimmer aircraft, one helicopter and 46 personnel are fighting the blaze today.
Fire information officer Melissa Klassen says the weather has helped crews battle the blaze and keep it from spreading.
“It is still primarily a Rank 1, some spots of Rank 2 where there is open flame, but primarily the benefits of today's weather is that we've had some precipitation this morning and this afternoon, and with that some cloud cover,” explains Klassen.
Westside Road remains closed between Bear Creek Road and Pine Point subdivision, with no estimated time of reopening.
Boaters on Okanagan Lake are asked to stay away from the fire area in and around Bear Creek as air support may be used on this fire.
The Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) is the Emergency Support for Bear Creek evacuees' animals. They are set up at the Reception Centre at 2466 Main Street in West Kelowna.
Evacuees can register with them to maintain their animals and livestock. They are also equipped to take in small animals.
Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital in West Kelowna has also volunteered their space for evacuees' animals. Dr. Oz, at the hospital, asks evacuees to call him at 250-769-9109 if they need a place for their pets.
UPDATE: 11 a.m.
The Bear Creek wildfire has grown to an estimated 25 hectares in size.
Low overnight temperatures and precipitation aided crews in monitoring and patrolling the fire.
Air support form BC Wildfire service is on site. Boaters on Okanagan Lake are asked to stay away from the fire area in and around Bear Creek.
The evacuation order remains in place and affects approximately 156 properties including the Bear Creek Provincial Park campground, Trader’s Cove subdivision, and properties along Bear Creek Road north of the Parkinson Road intersection including Dougmac, Rose Valley and Petterson Roads.
Another 14 properties in the Pine Point subdivision off Westside Road, north of Traders Cove remain on Evacuation Alert. Those residents should be prepared to leave on short notice should conditions change.
The Emergency Support Services Centre is open at the Lions Hall, 2466 Main St. in West Kelowna. Evacuees are asked to register there.
Those without power along Westside Road are asked to conserve water.
ORIGINAL: 8 a.m.
The Bear Creek fire is sitting at about 10 hectares this morning as fire crews converge on the scene and evaluate the situation.
“More than 46 BC Wildfire Service personnel will be working on the Bear Creek fire this morning,” says fire information officer Max Birkner.
“The fire is approximately 10 hectares in size, but it is still very early in the incident, so this estimate could change.”
Birkner says the weather has been favourable this morning for fighting the blaze and crews are on scene now to assess whether they will call in air support.
“The fire behaviour has gone down to a Rank 1, but it depends on weather and that behaviour can change.”
At this point, no dwellings have been lost to the fire although some outbuildings like sheds may be damaged.
Structural fire crews from West Kelowna, Peachland, Wilson’s Landing and firefighters from the BC Wildfire Service have spent the overnight hours putting out hotspots along the perimeter of the fire.
An Evacuation Order and alert remain in effect.
Westside Road remains closed between Bear Creek Road and Pine Point subdivision, with no estimated time of reopening.
Boaters on Okanagan Lake are asked to stay away from the fire area in and around Bear Creek as air support may be used on this fire.
The Canadian Disaster Animal Response Team (CDART) is the Emergency Support for Bear Creek evacuees' animals. They are set up at the Reception Centre at 2466 Main Street in West Kelowna.
Evacuees can register with them to maintain their animals and livestock. They are also equipped to take in small animals.
Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital in West Kelowna has also volunteered their space for evacuees' animals. Dr. Oz, at the hospital, asks evacuees to call him at 250-769-9109 if they need a place for their pets.
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