UPDATE (6:00 p.m.): Rachel Witt, Fire Information Officer, told KelownaNow that the fire is primarily Rank 2. The crew has put fire retardant around the 1.5-hectare fire, but there is still visible smoke and flames. Winds are dying down, which Witt said has been helping crews put the fire out.
There are currently 24 firefighters on scene, three air tankers and four skimmers.
UPDATE (5:47 p.m.): The fire has grown to 1.5 hectares in size. A reporter is on scene and KelownaNow will update the story when more information becomes available.
UPDATE (3:45 p.m.): Crews continue to battle the wildfire near McCall Creek, just west of Peachland, which has grown to one hectare in size.
Fire information officer Rachel Witt says the blaze is now “exhibiting some Rank 2 behavior,” as open flames are visible from Peachland.
Witt says seven BC Wildfire personnel are on scene, supported by one helicopter and three air tankers, trying to establish containment.
ORIGINAL STORY:
A small wildfire is burning in the forest above Peachland.
Peachland Fire and Rescue are currently on the scene of the fire, which Chief Dennis Craig says is an approximately 80-foot-square ground fire in a forested area in the hills above town.
Seven fire personnel are on scene trying to contain the blaze, and a Wildcat aircraft is overhead preparing provide support.
Craig says at least two personnel from the BC Wildfire Service are also on their way.