BC Wildfire seeing good progress on Okanagan Complex fires with calmer winds

The BC Wildfire Service is reporting that good progress has been made at the Okanagan Complex fires.

Cooler weather and less winds have been advantageous for crews at the fires, says Noelle Kekula, information officer for the Okanagan Complex.

Kekula says that talking to crews last night, there weren’t a lot of winds, but they are still seeing open flames and a lot of hot spots within the fire.

“Fire activity has definitely gone down to rank one,” says Kekula, but she adds that “We’re not out of the woods yet.”

Kekula says that just like a campfire that you think is out, wind can pick up and stoke the embers.

There has been some growth on the fires, but none of them have crossed containment lines, and this morning’s estimates put each fire at about the same size.

Kekula says crews are still working hard building guard around the fires in steep terrain. They plan on taking advantage of minimal winds and use all their means to continue to get a handle on the wildfires in the region.

BC Wildfire is responding to 14 fires in the Okanagan region. Four of those fires are under control, eight are still classified as out of control, and the remainder have been put out.

In total they have 240 firefighters, including BC Wildfire Service crews and contract firefighters, responding in the Okanagan. They are assisted by 18 helicopters that will be assigned to each fire throughout the day as needed. Airtankers and air skimmers are also on standby and are available whenever they are needed.

The BC Wildfire Service would also like to remind recreational boat users to stay out of the airspace as they use the lakes for firefighting efforts.

“It’s fun to watch, but please watch from a distance,” says Kekula.

Click here for the latest updates on each fire.