Some wildfires across Okanagan now ‘quieter’ thanks to ‘really good progress’

Local wildfires are “looking a lot quieter,” fire information officer Marla Catherall said Tuesday.

In the Okanagan, fires continue to burn at Mount Eneas (four kilometres south of Peachland), Goode’s Creek (in Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park) and Glenfir Road (10 km northwest of Naramata).

Mount Eneas is classified as “under control,” and all evacuation alerts have been rescinded.

The fire at Glenfir Road is classified as “held” and, at an estimated 100 hectares, is less than a 10th of the size of Mount Eneas or Goode’s Creek.

Goode’s Creek is classified as “out of control,” but the BC Wildfire Service states on its website that “growth was anticipated and beneficial in removing fuels and improving the ecosystem.”

Catherall said fire crews are making “really good progress,” patrolling and working to extinguish hot spots.

She also said forces will be redirected to other parts of the province in the next few days.

Meanwhile, a change in the weather should usher the smoke from skies in the area.

Smoke over Kelowna should clear by noon today with the skies remaining clear at least through Thursday, according to a short-term outlook at Firesmoke.ca, which provides detailed forecasts of wildfire smoke distribution across North America.

Air quality in Kelowna was rated as presenting a moderate risk on Tuesday, as stagnant air allowed smoke to pool in the Valley. The air quality is expected to improve to low risk today.

Westerly breezes are predicted to begin pushing smoke out of the Central Okanagan by late morning today, according to FireSmoke.ca, which bases forecasts on satellite imagery, weather forecasts, and the current and predicted size of wildfires.

Through this afternoon and Thursday, smoke from fires burning in the South Okanagan and Washington state is forecast to drift mostly south and east, leaving Kelowna area skies clear.

With cooler weather on the way this weekend — the forecast high for Friday is 23 C — light winds may help to keep smoke out of the Valley.

“If there is rain, that’s great,” Catherall said. “If there are thunderstorms, we are prepared to deal with that.”

The fire crews, currently working out of a tent complex in West Kelowna, are sure to welcome the end of this heat wave. Temperatures on site have reached 42 C.