Lightning, wind fuel wildfires
KELOWNA — Wildfire conditions were calmer across British Columbia on the weekend, but there is concern climbing temperatures and gusty winds could undo progress made over the last several days.
Environment Canada is calling for winds gusting to 50 kilometres per hour over the Kelowna area and lightning is also forecast for several parts of the province, including the Okanagan Valley.
The BC Wildfire Service says it conducted a successful controlled burn on Sunday, uniting two fires into one larger blaze between Peachland and Summerland, on the west side of Okanagan Lake. They confirmed 112 firefighters were still actively combating the fire as of Monday.
They estimate the blaze has grown to nearly 18 square kilometres, up from 14 square kilometres as of Sunday. While the fire is still considered out of control, officials say the single perimeter offers a better chance to build fire guards.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen rescinded several evacuation orders for properties north of Summerland and the wildfire service website says other evacuations could be lifted, but another 900 properties remain on alert until further notice.
An evacuation order was issued Monday night for a handful of properties southwest of Kamloops along the TransCanada Highway in the small community of Spences Bridge. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District said residents in the affected area were being told to leave immediately. Other properties in the immediate area remained under an evacuation alert.
An Environment Canada air quality warning is still in effect for much of the south-eastern section of British Columbia, with children and seniors being most at risk. Residents are advised to stay in a cool, ventilated area wherever possible.
And nearly 300 hundred kilometres away from Summerland, outside the village of Nakusp, B.C., crews had to deal with a different obstacle while fighting a wildfire Sunday – drones flying above the blaze. The wildfire service released a statement Monday saying a helicopter was grounded and other firefighting aircraft in the area had to be diverted out of the airspace above the wildfire.