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BC  

Now six 'fires of note'

UPDATE: 7:20 p.m.

The BC Wildfire Service has now mapped the Mount Eneas wildfire at 1,374 hectares. The fire was estimated at 1,000 hectares for much of the day.

One unit crew will continue to build hand guard on the south flank of the fire and the other unit crew will be placed on the north flank.

More information as it becomes available.


UPDATE: 1:55 p.m.

The six Okanagan-Similkameen "fires of note," listed below, are considered a threat to public safety, or are visible to the public. A seventh, the Carrot Mountain fire burning west of West Kelowna, is no longer identified as a fire of note as of early Friday afternoon.

MOUNT ENEAS: The fire burning between Peachland and Summerland is still estimated to be 1,000 hectares in size, the BC Wildfire Service said Friday morning. The fire has forced dozens of evacuation orders and hundreds of alerts in the Peachland and Garnet Valley areas. The BCWS says the fire is threatening structures, and structural protection units have been deployed to the area. Forty provincial firefighters are on the fire, compared to 57 on Thursday. At least four municipal fire departments have also responded, and crews are continuing to work on building a guard on the fire's south end.

GOODE'S CREEK: Previously named the "Good Creek" wildfire by the BCWS, this fire is located on the east side of Okanagan Lake in Okanagan Mountain Park. It was started by lightning and is still estimated to be at 400 hectares. The fire has forced evacuation alerts in south Kelowna, and has solely been attacked from the air. Twenty-one provincial firefighters are currently battling this fire, with helicopter support.

LAW CREEK: This lightning-caused fire grew from an estimated 0.1 hectares to eight hectares on Thursday, which it's still estimated at. It's burning about six kilometres southwest of West Kelowna, and 198 evacuation alerts have been issued as a result. Eighteen firefighters are fighting the fire with the help of helicopters and airtanker support. The BC Wildfire Service says the fire has been challenging as it's burning in difficult-to-access terrain.

MOUNT CONKLE: Plumes from this fire west of Trout Creek on Penticton Indian Band land near Shingle Creek Road are visible around the south end of the valley. This lightning-cause fire is still estimated at 90 hectares in size. Crews have made good progress toward containing this fire, and the BCWS there is good water sources and road access in proximity to the fire. The PIB has issued 13 evacuation alerts. Twenty firefighters, along with six pieces of heavy equipment and seven helicopters are providing support. 

PLACER MOUNTAIN: This fire is burning 37 kilometres south of Princeton, and is putting up a large plume of smoke visible from across the Similkameen. The BC Wildfire Service has recently updated the size of the fire to 255 hectares, up from 150 hectares Thursday evening. Sixteen firefighters are working on the blaze, along with five pieces of heavy equipment.

UPPER BROOKSIDE CREEK: This fire is burning near Hartnell Road outside of Vernon. The size was estimated at one hectare Thursday evening and 11 firefighters are working on the fire.

Updates on these fires will be provided multiple times throughout the day on Castanet.


UPDATE 8:15 a.m.

Fire information officer Noelle Kekula has told Castanet crews are in the air right now assessing the situation which has developed overnight. They are also aware of the growing Law Creek blaze and they are deploying more "internal" resources to the wildfires burning in the Okanagan-Similkameen region.

She also asked Castanet to remind those on evacuation alerts to prepare for evacuation by checking out their regional district's websites prior to an order being put in place. You can find the appropriate information here.


ORIGINAL 7:18 a.m.

Seven "fires of note" continue to burn out of control in the Okanagan-Similkameen Friday.

There have been five new fires started overnight and 10 other fires are active in our region (Kamloops Fire Centre).

The seven fires listed below are considered a threat to public safety, or are visible to the public.

  1. Mount Eneas: 1,000 ha.
  2. Good Creek: 400 ha.
  3. Placer Mountain 200 ha.
  4. Mount Conkle 93 ha.
  5. Law Creek 8 ha.
  6. Upper Brookside Creek 1.20 ha.
  7. Carrot Mountain .10 ha.

Updates on these fires will be provided multiple times throughout the day on Castanet.



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