(UPDATE: Sept. 20 @ 12:10 pm) – The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre does not expect to issue any new evacuation orders or alerts due to the Glen Lake wildfire.
Cooler temperature and a little bit of rain have helped on the fire, but people are still advised that the situation could change quickly and people should stay prepared and informed.
“The fireguard placed earlier by BC Wildfire Service aircraft held but an updated size of the fire is unavailable currently due to smoky conditions,” says CORD.
The BC Wildfire Service continues to have aircraft, ground personnel and heavy equipment fighting the fire alongside Peachland Fire and Rescue.
A release says more resources are arriving in Peachland today.
An evacuation order remains in place for eight recreational properties on Glen Lake Forest Service Road. A map and list of those properties can be viewed here.
An Evacuation Alert remains for all areas within the Regional District of Central Okanagan south of the Brenda Mine site, southwest of Highway 97C and west of Highway 97.
(UPDATE: Sept. 20 @ 10:50 am) - Even if the Kelowna-area forecast doesn't call for much wind, as is the case today, that doesn't mean it's calm around the Glen Lake wildfire.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says ridgetop winds at the fire are "usually more than forecasted," which creates "challenging conditions for actioning spot fires in the slash blocks."
While suppression efforts are made more difficult when the wind picks up, other elements of the current weather are helping crews make progress.
That includes cloudy skies with isolated showers this morning, temperatures between 11°C-14°C and minimum relative humidity.
According to the BCWS, multiple helicopters continue to bucket the fire on the northeast side and heavy equipment is establishing a guard along the north flank and to the east.
"The fire has not breached the guard at this time; however we continue to monitor the area to ensure there are no spot fires, or if there are, we detect them early," explained a Wednesday morning updated from the BCWS.
Once again, fixed-wing aircraft are available to assist if needed, but the BCWS says weather, fire intensity, fire location and visibility all factor into that decision.
Although the fire is still estimated at 763 hectares, that number is expected to grow once crews are able to more accurately map the boundary from above.
Evacuation alerts, and one order affecting eight properties, remain in place through the RDCO and RDOS.
(Original story: Sept. 20 @ 7:35 am) - The estimated size of the Glen Lake wildfire is expected to grow today once crews are able to more accurately map the blaze.
Although Tuesday was a calm and cooler day around the fire, the BC Wildfire Service says gusty winds picked up in the early evening, which increased fire activity and behaviour.
“Due to heavy smoke in the afternoon, an accurate perimeter map was unable to be obtained and the fire size is expected to grow once the fire has been mapped,” said the BCWS.
For now, the fire is estimated at 763 hectares and is burning around six kilometres west of Peachland.
In an update late Tuesday night, the BCWS called it a “dynamic situation” and promised further updates this morning.
“The BCWS is working with the Peachland Fire Department and local structure protection specialists on potentially activating the structure protection and defense plan,” the agency explained.
Several evacuation alerts remain in place in both the Central and South Okanagan, which you can learn more about through the RDCO and RDOS.
NowMedia will update this story throughout the day with the latest information on the Glen Lake wildfire.
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