Troops tackle Gottfriedsen

Photo: BC Wildfire Service

Some good news for residents concerned about the Gottfriedsen wildfire in the Pennask area, near the Okanagan Connector.

A large portion of troops from the Canadian Armed Forces brought in to assist with wildfires in B.C. have been dispatched to the fire.

About 200 troops have been deployed to the province, with another 100 on stand-by in Edmonton.

Lieut. Melissa Kia with Maritime Forces Pacific says land forces based in Merritt are being tasked with mop-up operations.

"What that means is when a fire is under control or even has been put out ... in order to allow those attack teams from BC Wildfire to get out and combat more fires, we send in our people to ensure all hot spots or any potential problem areas have been contained," says Kia.

"We are in a supporting role, as we always are when we are operational in Canada. We take our request from the province and BC Wildfire, and we turn them into action."

Lightning sparked the Gottfriedsen fire on Aug. 9.

Despite progress made on the fire, an evacuation alert remains in effect for the Pennask Lake and Hatheume Lake area.