(UPDATE: Aug. 12 @ 11:34 a.m.) - The wildfire burning northwest of West Kelowna, now being called the Carrot Mountain fire by the BC Wildfire Service, is estimated at 0.2 hectares this morning.
The fire started yesterday after a significant weather system moved through the region. The suspected cause is lightning.
Weather conditions yesterday rendered the fire inoperable, but this morning a rappel crew of three firefighters are on site working on containing the fire and mop up.
It is classified as out of control, however, BC Wildfire Service spokesperson Nicole Bonnett says that due to cooler temperatures they aren't expecting the fire to see much growth.
(UPDATE: Aug.11 @ 9:30 p.m.) - Kelowna and West Kelowna residents may notice smoke from the Davidson Creek fire burning northwest of the cities.
BCWS has had a difficult time attacking the fire due to the isolated location of the fire and the volatile stormwinds that have moved through the area.
"We did attempt to respond with a rappel crew earlier on but because of the strong and erratic winds but we were physically unable to get the rappel crew in there, it was just too dangerous," explained Brenna Ward, Fire Information Officer with BCWS.
Instead, the fire received airborne efforts with helicopter bucketing being the main form of suppression.
The Davidson Creek wildfire is a small spot-sized fire that is not expected to grow overnight but will be monitored by crews with a rappel crew attempting to action the fire first thing Sunday morning.
The fire is suspected to have been lightning-caused.
(Original Story: August 11 @ 5:10 p.m.) - BCWS has had a busy day with 21 recorded wildfires starting on Saturday, one of which has ignited near West Kelowna.
There have been 21 new #BCwildfire starts in the Kamloops Fire Centre today. They are believed to be lightning starts from the thunderstorm activity passing through the region. We're responding to these fires with initial attack crews. All fires are very small.
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 11, 2018
The wildfire is brand new on the BC Wildfire Service radar and is marked near Davidson Creek.
BCWS is currently gathering more information on the fire.
NowMedia will provide more information on the fire as it becomes available.
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