Photo: Martin Weilmeier

UPDATE: 5:15 p.m.

The fire burning in Okanagan Mountain Park is now 2 hectares in size.

Fire information officer Justine Hunse, with the BC Wildfire Service, says it is burning at a Rank 1 and 2, meaning it is smouldering, with some open flame.

Hunse said a "modified response" is being employed, in consultation with BC Parks.

She explained that in the shoulder season when weather is cooler, there are benefits to letting a fire burn. It can clear forest floor debris, making summertime fires less likely.

"Even though this a human-caused fire, there are benefits to modified response," she said. "... So residents may not see the bombers and other activity, but rest assured, we are keeping a close eye on it."

Hunse said various "trigger points" would initiate a larger response if the fire were to cross any of them.

"That would cause us to revisit the fire response," she said.

Currently, the fire is burning upslope and is not threatening any structures.

"But we are aware of how visible it is for people across the lake in Peachland," said Hunse.

UPDATE: noon

Peachland residents are starting to contact Castanet, angry about what they see as a lack of action on a small wildfire burning across the lake in Okanagan Mountain Park.

"I cannot express how absolutely angry I am, as are fellow residents in Peachland, with how this wildfire is being treated," a reader named Suz said in an email signed: "multiple very angry Peachland residents!"

"This is NOT an ecological burn. This is not a natural fire. It is a man-made fire that is burning in an area that has FINALLY started to recover from the Kelowna fire of 2003!" the email continues.

Concerned Peachlanders say the fire continues to grow and that the response is reminiscent of that during the 2003 firestorm, which ended up devastating hundreds of homes in Kelowna's South Mission area.

"It needs to be put out while it's still easy and hasn't devastated a park that has taken over a decade to start to turn green again.

Where are the bombers? ... If this fire was four weeks ago, the cavalry would have been sent out already."

UPDATE: 9:35 a.m.

The Rattlesnake Island fire is approximately one hectare in size. 

"The forest fire is located two kilometres north of Rattlesnake Island. The blaze does not pose a risk to public safety at this time," said fire information officer Justine Hunse. 

BC Wildfire is working with land managers to develop a response strategy for the fire. 

"One of the options may be a modified response. We would allow the fire to play its role in the natural cycle of the ecosystem and allow it to burn within a predetermined area," Hunse added. 

ORIGINAL 7:43 a.m.

A forest fire has been reported out in Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park, across Okanagan Lakefrom Peachland.

It was spotted and reported early this morning, just before 6:30 a.m. 

The B.C. Wildfire Service has been notified, but has yet to confirm the report.