(UPDATE: Sept. 21 @ 11:30 am) – Small scale hand ignitions could go ahead on the Glen Lake wildfire today.
The BC Wildfire Service says the operation would happen on the northeast flank in order to tie into an existing fire guard and remove unburnt fuel in the fire’s path.
However, this will only go ahead if the conditions are suitable and safe for ground crews.
“Aerial resources assigned to this incident will be available to provide bucketing support as required. Smoke within the fire perimeter may be visible to surrounding communities,” says the BCWS in an update Thursday morning.
BCWS and Peachland Fire and Rescue are coordinating response efforts on the fire.
Structure protection specialists completed structural protection around homes on Monday for the area of Glen Lake and will be setting up sprinklers in the Princeton neighborhood in Peachland as a precautionary measure.
The weather is looking ideal for firefighting efforts with a mainly sunny sky, temperatures reaching the low 20s with relative humidity levels hitting between 25-50%.
Light wind is in the forecast with speeds reaching 10-15 km/h and gusts up to 25 km/h.
“No new evacuation orders or alerts are expected due to the Glen Lake Wildfire today following favourable weather conditions, but the situation may change, and residents are advised to be prepared and stay informed,” says the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre.
An evacuation order remains in place for eight recreational properties off Glen Lake Forest Service Road.
Click here to view the interactive map for properties in the Central Okanagan and here for information on evacuation alerts issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
(Original story: Sept. 21 @ 7:03 am) – The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) was able to get a more accurate perimeter map of the wildfire burning near Peachland and estimate the fire at 1,116 hectares.
Although the fire remains classified as out of control, the BCWS says crews are making progress.
“The fire has had multiple helicopters bucketing over the past few days on the northeast side and bucketing operations will continue today,” the fire service agency sas in an update Thursday morning.
“Heavy equipment is working on establishing a guard along the north flank and to the east.”
The fire has not breached any established fire guards and crews continue to monitor the area to ensure there are no spot fires.
The weather is forecast to be cool with a mainly cloudy morning and potential showers later in the day.
The temperature will be in the high teens, which supports higher relative humidity levels.
The BCWS has two initial attack crews on the fire today with support from helicopters and Peachland Fire and Rescue.
No additional evacuation orders or alerts have been issued by the Regional District of Central Okanagan or the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
