Okanagan wildfires: Rainfall welcomed overnight, but region sees 522 lightning strikes – Okanagan

For emergency services battling a major wildfire in British Columbia’s southern interior on Friday evening, the rain was a welcome relief.

The Calcite Creek wildfire, which is burning about 25 miles south of Princeton, has an estimated area of ​​16,000 acres (6,829 hectares).

This is an increase compared to 6,297 hectares on Thursday and 5,256 hectares on Tuesday.

Despite the increase in size, the BC Wildfire Service expects fire activity to decrease. However, the biggest challenge for firefighters is the landscape.


Click to play video: 'Hullcar Mountain wildfire saw minimal growth overnight but still raging out of control'


The Hullcar Mountain wildfire showed minimal growth overnight but is still burning out of control


“It’s very steep terrain,” said fire spokesman Alan McCartney. “That limits our ability to do things. Aircraft are the only way we can get any fire out.”

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In the northern Okanagan, the Hullcar Mountain wildfire continues to burn, about 13 km northwest of Armstrong.

Conditions on Saturday allowed for a planned ignition to contain the 716-hectare fire.

Fire spokesperson Taylor Wallace told Global News the intention with the planned ignition is to move the active fire perimeter into the already established control lines.

While the rainfall in the region was a relief to firefighters, lightning also played a role.

According to the Forest Service, 522 fires were set at the Kamloops Fire Department, which caused 10 new fires.

There are concerns that more fires could break out in the region in the coming days.

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“There’s always the possibility that there are fires left over from lightning from previous days,” Wallace said. “So we’re always keeping our eyes and ears open for more fires that pop up in the coming week.”


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Below you can see some forest fires in the southern interior.

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Forest fire in Calcite Creek

  • Mate: 6,829 hectares
  • Judgement: Out of control
  • Location: 25 miles south of Princeton; 5 miles north of the US border
  • Evacuation alarm: Yes
  • Evacuation order: Yes
  • Probable cause: Lightning

BC Wildfire says southerly winds will put pressure on the northern containment lines, but crews will aggressively attack new fire runs with the help of helicopters. There are 46 firefighters on scene, along with 10 aircraft and 10 pieces of heavy equipment.

Forest fire in Lower Blue Mountain

  • Mate: 46 hectare
  • Judgement: Under control
  • Location: Suburbs of Penticton
  • Evacuation alarm: No
  • Evacuation order: No
  • Probable cause: Under investigation

According to BC Wildfire, nine people are working to extinguish fires.

Wildfire in Lower Campbell Creek

  • Mate: 233 hectare
  • Judgement: Being held
  • Location: 25 km east of Penticton
  • Evacuation alarm: No
  • Evacuation order: No
  • Probable cause: Lightning

According to BC Wildfire, 55 fire crews are on scene clearing the fire and patrolling the entire perimeter of the fire.

Sitkum Creek Wildfire

  • Mate: 1,261 hectares
  • Judgement: Out of control
  • Location: 60 km east of Vernon; also next to Sugar Lake
  • Evacuation alarm: Yes
  • Evacuation order: No
  • Probable cause: Lightning

According to BC Wildfire, there are 23 people on site, along with one helicopter.

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Wildfire in Hullcar Mountain

  • Mate: 716 hectare
  • Judgement: Out of control
  • Location: 10 km northwest of Armstrong
  • Evacuation alarm: Yes
  • Evacuation order: Yes
  • Probable cause: Lightning

BC Wildfire says 95 firefighters are battling the blaze and a planned ignition is underway. Smoke and increased fire activity may be visible from Armstrong and Enderby plus Highways 97 and 97A.

Forest fire in Mara Mountain

  • Mate: 281 hectare
  • Judgement: Out of control
  • Location: 7 km southeast of Sicamous
  • Evacuation alarm: No
  • Evacuation order: No
  • Probable cause: Lightning

BC Wildfire says the fire is in a steep area and there will be frequent flights.

Dry Creek Forest Fire

  • Mate: 488 hectare
  • Judgement: Out of control
  • Location: 44 km south of Revelstoke; close to Shelter Bay
  • Evacuation alarm: Yes
  • Evacuation order: No
  • Probable cause: Lightning

BC Wildfire reports that machine guards have been extended to the top of the west flank and that clean-up operations and patrols are being conducted along the north and south flanks.

Nemo Creek Wildfire

  • Mate: 5,790 hectares
  • Judgement: Out of control
  • Location: Across Slocan Lake from New Denver
  • Evacuation alarm: No
  • Evacuation order: No
  • Probable cause: Lightning

BC Wildfire says the north and south flanks of the fire are still active. A total of 95 firefighters and seven helicopters are assigned to the Slocan Lake complex.

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Forest fire at Komonko Creek

  • Mate: 3,989 hectares
  • Judgement: Out of control
  • Location: 10 km south of New Denver
  • Evacuation alarm: No
  • Evacuation order: Yes
  • Probable cause: Lightning

BC Wildfire says crews are using aerial infrared scans to identify and eliminate hot spots along the perimeter. There are 73 firefighters and two tree burners on scene.

Forest fire in Argenta Creek

  • Mate: 18,390 hectares
  • Judgement: Out of control
  • Location: 80 km north of Nelson
  • Evacuation alarm: Yes
  • Evacuation order: Yes
  • Probable cause: Lightning

BC Wildfire says minimal fire activity has been observed throughout most of the blaze. A total of 86 firefighters and five helicopters are on scene.

© 2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.



Doyle Potenteau

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