Cooler temps help fire crews

Photo: BC Wildfire Service

Crews conducted another controlled burn at the Eagle Bluff wildfire Friday.

Fire crews are hoping cooler weather and possible rains will help the firefighting efforts at the large Eagle Bluff wildfire near Oliver Saturday, after southerly winds pushed the fire predominately northwest Friday.

The now 2,680-hectare fire was sparked last Sunday, and quickly grew throughout the week, putting about 250 properties on evacuation alert.

While the latest size estimate is another 400 hectares larger than Friday, the BC Wildfire Service says this is primarily due to a controlled burn, and the growth was away from structures or any communities. The fire is still classified as out of control.

After a successful controlled burn Thursday, BC Wildfire Service crews conducted another planned ignition Friday along McKinney Road, south of Manuel's Canyon, and established further control lines on the east flank of the fire.

“Most of the growth that occurred yesterday was due to this planned ignition, which helped to move the fire into safer, more workable terrain for ground crews,” the BCWS says.

“A planned ignition to move the fire southeast towards the control line may occur today dependant on weather conditions.”

Forty firefighters stayed on the blaze through the evening.

The region is expecting cooler temperatures through the weekend along with rain, and the BCWS says they expect little growth to occur because of this.

“Today, heavy equipment will construct guard in operable areas along the east flank and northeast corner,” the BCWS says. “Other objectives are to build a retardant line in areas inoperable to heavy equipment along the north flank.”