UPDATE: Richter Mountain wildfire 'being held', evacuation alert rescinded

(UPDATE: July 29 @ 2:40 pm) - The BC Wildfire Service is now classifying the Richter Mountain wildfire as 'being held'.

The blaze, which reached 403 hectares over a five-day span, is primarily a smoldering ground fire at this point and isn't producing much smoke.

In addition, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has also announced the evacuation alert for 10 properties along Highway 3 and Chopaka Road is no longer in effect.

(UPDATE: July 29 @ 10 am) - The Richter Mountain wildfire, west of Osoyoos, is now estimated at 403 hectares.

Nearly 150 firefighters are battling the 'out of control' blaze with the assistance of eight helicopters and heavy equipment.

"Ground crews and heavy equipment continue working to build guard on the north and east portions of the fire," said the latest statement from BCWS.

"A plan is in place to assess and fall danger trees that could be a hazard to crews. Helicopters continue bucketing today to cool hot spots of the fire."

BCWS says the fire is showing a low level of activity with not much smoke, as it's primarily a smoldering ground fire.

Today's suppression efforts will be focused on the ground, with less emphasis on air support.

BCWS now considers this a 'fire of note' and an incident management team has been assigned to the scene.

(UPDATE: July 28 @ 4:15 pm) - According to fire information officer Jody Lucius, the Richter Mountain wildfire is now at an estimated 400 hectares.

Currently, the fire is still classified as 'out of control,' however, it is not threatening any structures at this time as most of the growth seen within the last 24 hours has been up and away from structures along Hwy 3.

Lucius says that although the winds have been lighter today they are still posing a challenge for crews. "They have been challenging at times because they are shifting directions, we are waiting to see if they will pick up later tonight, but it wouldn't surprise us if they did," she said.

There are now over 100 personnel on-site actioning the fire in addition to nine helicopters with more crew and heavy equipment scheduled to arrive on Monday. Overnight operations are set to continue this evening and likely for the next few days.

The BC Wildfire Service would like to remind those traveling in the area to do so slowly but without stopping as there are "falling rocks and debris going toward Highway 3 in some places."

(UPDATE: July 27 @ 5:45 p.m.) - The Richter Creek wildfire has shown "marginal growth" throughout the afternoon, however, its estimated size still stands at the 250ha mark said fire information officer, Nicole Bonnett.

According to Bonnett, the strong winds forecasted for this afternoon did occur, but from a direction which pushed the fire back onto itself — helping to limit its growth.

"The crew are putting in their best effort during these hot and dry conditions and they are making good progress," said Bonnett.

Currently, no structures are being threatened and 67 personnel remain on-site with six helicopters and heavy equipment in addition to air tankers on standby.

(UPDATE: July 27 @ 1 p.m.) - The Richter Creek wildfire has grown to 250 hectares, the BC Wildfire Service said today in an update.

The growth is the result of winds yesterday evening. Officials say that the blaze is growing away from structures and communities.

There are currently 67 personnel and heavy equipment on site with aircraft supporting their suppression efforts. Fire activity may increase throughout the day as increased wind speeds are forecast for this afternoon, said BC Wildfire.

UPDATE: The Richter Mountain Wildfire (K51089) is now ~ 250 ha. This growth occurred away from structures and communities and is a result of winds that occurred yesterday evening. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/r5AQDgwU3l

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 27, 2019

(UPDATE: July 26 @ 8 p.m.) - The Richter Mountain Wildfire has now grown to an estimated 150 hectares as a result of windy, warm and dry conditions.

Fire information officer, Nicole Bonnett has confirmed there are now 63 personnel onsite with helicopter and air tanker support working into the evening.

The Richter Mountain Wildfire (K51089) is now ~150 ha as a result of winds and warmer drying conditions. There are 63 personnel on site with helicopters & airtanker support. These resources will be working into the evening & 20 personnel will work overnight with heavy equipment. pic.twitter.com/hmpScps8ce

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 27, 2019

The fire is currently labeled as "out of control" — 20 personnel with heavy equipment are scheduled to work overnight.

A precautionary Evacuation Alert is still in effect for the 10 properties along Highway 3 and Chopaka Road as there is potential for down-slope winds to occur throughout the night.

(UPDATE: July 26 @ 6 pm) - The Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen has issued an evacuation alert for ten properties in the Cawston area.

The alert has been issued for properties along Highway 3 and Chopaka Road to prepare residents in the event that an evacuation order is issued.

According to a release from the RDOS, "BC Wildfire and the RDOS EOC are actively assessing the situation."

EOC Info Update: July 26, 2019 5:15pm
An Evacuation Alert for 10 Properties in Electoral Area "B" Cawston area has been issued due to the Ritcher Mountain Wildfire.
Click below to see the full info release & list of properties under Evacuation Alert.https://t.co/W0MMEZ8bPt pic.twitter.com/FNlJLh52mG

— RDOS EOC (@EmergMgtRDOS) July 27, 2019

A fire information officer has confirmed the Richter Mountain Fire as an interface fire following BCWF's recommendation to the regional district that an evacuation alert is issued.

Due to the warmer and drier conditions experienced this afternoon the fire has now grown to roughly 100 hectares.

Currently, there is still 62 BC Wildfire Service personnel on site with three helicopters, a group of air tankers dropping retardant and a group of skimmers collecting water from the lake.

(UPDATE: July 26 @ 1:45 pm) - The Richter Mountain wildfire has shown a bit of growth today.

It's now estimated at 80 hectares in size as it continues to burn west of Osoyoos, about 14 kilometres southeast of Cawston.

There are currently 62 BC Wildfire Service personnel on site, who are battling the blaze with the assistance of three helicopters, an air tanker and heavy equipment.

UPDATE: The Richter Mountain wildfire (K51089) is now ~80 ha. This fire grew overnight due to down slope winds that commonly occur in the valley during the late evening. Currently 62 personnel are responding with air support in the form of 3 helicopters and air tankers. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/SRH77E7qR9

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 26, 2019

Warm and dry conditions will pose a challenge to firefighters this afternoon.

"We are anticipating warmer and drier conditions this afternoon, and as a result fire activity may increase with the heat of the day," says a tweet from the BCWS.

"A reminder to all that aircraft are responding to this fire again today, and to please stay clear of aircraft landing on the lake."

According to fire information officer Kelsey Dunkley, 20 personnel and heavy equipment were on site overnight and that will be the case again tonight.

NowMedia will continue to update this story as it develops.

(UPDATE: July 26 @ 7:55 am) - Hwy 3 has reopened to traffic west of Osoyoos, says DriveBC.

The Richter Mountain wildfire remains at 60 hectares and BCWS is expected to provide another update this morning.

(UPDATE: July 26 @ 6:30 am) - The Richter Mountain wildfire didn't show any growth in the latter half of Thursday, as more than 40 BC Wildfire Service crew members tackled the blaze with assistance from the air.

"Crews and aircraft responded to the Richter Mountain (wildfire) today," said a tweet from the BCWS. "They made good progress and the fire remains at (60 hectares)."

Crews and aircraft responded to the Richter Mountain #BCwildfire today. They made good progress and the fire remains at ~60 ha. Please note this size may change upon completion of a ground track of the perimeter. 20 personnel will remain on site overnight with heavy equipment. pic.twitter.com/osZMjvkDBp

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 26, 2019

Although there's been good progress on the fire, it has now caused the closure of Hwy 3 between the Hwy 97 junction and Hwy 3A junction, west of Osoyoos.

DriveBC says the assessment is ongoing and there's no estimated time for the highway to reopen.

There's a detour around this closure by using Hwy 97 and Hwy 3A.

REMINDER - #BCHwy3 CLOSED from #BCHwy97 junction to #BCHwy3A junction (Osoyoos to Keremeos) due to a forest fire, alternate routes via #BCHwy3A and #BCHwy97. Assessment ongoing https://t.co/ZDS6A9pRoc

— Drive BC (@DriveBC) July 26, 2019

(UPDATE: July 25 @ 1 pm): A wildfire near Cawston has grown to 60 hectares.

The blaze, which grew to 40 hectares from 25 overnight, is believed to have been caused by lightning.

(UPDATE: July 25 @ 9:20 am) - An additional two unit crews, which each contain 20 personnel, are en route to the Richter Mountain wildfire.

The fire grew to 40 hectares overnight and continues to burn around 14 kilometres southeast of Cawston.

BCWS information officer Nicole Bonnett said that four people monitored the fire overnight and those four remain on site this morning while waiting for the unit crews to arrive.

An air tanker and helicopter were also assisting crews on Wednesday and will be back to help firefighting efforts today.

NowMedia will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

(UPDATE: 9:45 pm) - The BC Wildfire Service continues to action a wildfire near Cawston in southern BC that has grown exponentially in size since being discovered earlier Wednesday.

BCWS said in a tweet that the Manery Creek fire, approximately 14 kilometres southeast of Cawston and adjacent to Hwy 3, has expanded to 25 hectares.

UPDATE – The Manery Creek wildfire (K51089) is now estimated to be 25 ha in size. Further updates will be provided when necessary. #BCWildfire #Cawston #Similkameen

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 25, 2019

Taylor MacDonald, BCWS information officer, said that three BCWS personnel, along with some units of heavy equipment, will be remaining at the Manery Creek wildfire overnight.

The fire is visible from Hwy 3 and is not believed to be threatening any structures.

(Original Story: 7:45 pm)

Another pair of lightning-caused wildfires were discovered in the south Okanagan on Wednesday, meaning four wildfires have sparked in the area in the last 48 hours.

BCWS is attacking a growing wildfire located on the west face of Mount Kobau just east of Hwy 3 called the Manery Creek fire.

The #BCWildfire Service is responding to a wildfire approx 14 km southeast of #Cawston, adjacent to #BCHwy3. The fire (K51089) is currently estimated at 3 ha in size. Multiple BCWS personnel including air support are responding. pic.twitter.com/SIt5hZoiVS

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 25, 2019

The wildfire is only two hectares in size, but Taylor MacDonald, BCWS information officer, says it is growing.

Six BCWS personnel are currently attending to the fire but it is expected that more firefighters will assist them as the situation develops. Air tankers and a helicopter were also helping them battle the fire.

The Crater Creek fire, located southwest of Hwy 3, is a spot fire that remains out of control and is being actioned by three BCWS personnel with helicopter assistance.

The Manery Creek and Crater Creek fire were preceded by a pair of wildfires discovered on Tuesday near Penticton.

A lightning storm moved through southern BC and the Okanagan yesterday, causing several small fires to form near the US border.