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West Kelowna  

Gottfriedsen blaze grows

The Gottfriedsen Mountain wildfire is now estimated at 730 hectares in size.

It continues to burn about 24 kilometres west of West Kelowna, north of the Okanagan Connector.

The fire took a significant amount of precipitation Saturday night, decreasing its intensity.

Slash fuels are expected to burn with moderate vigour despite the rainfall, and the patchy nature of the fire is challenging for crews to find a solid front to fight.

Poor visibility is hindering aviation efforts, but crews constructed a significant amount of control line on Sunday.

An evacuation alert remains in place in the Pennask Lake and Hatheume Lake area.

Crews were expected to work to complete control lines today and commence mop up.

Elsewhere in the region, the Harris Creek fire, south of Lumby and near Graystokes Provincial Park, is estimated at 508 hectares and is considered out of control. Sparked by lightning, it is currently being fought by 24 firefighters, eight helicopters and eight pieces of heavy equipment.

Crews are focusing on containment of the fire's west flank, reinforcing a containment line around the south flank, and continue deploying hose around the fire perimeter. 

Two small fires are burning south of Big White and north of Beaverdell.

Both are suspected to be lightning caused and are small spot fires.

Meanwhile, motorists are being urged to stay off the Mabel Lake forest service road, where the Mabel Creek fire is estimated to have burned 1,861 hectares.



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