(UPDATE: Sept. 17 @ 3:05 pm) – The Glen Lake wildfire is now estimated at 100 hectares.
The BC Wildfire Service says aerial resources are bucketing the fire and residents will notice an increase an aircraft around Peachland throughout the day.
“We would like to remind the public to practice caution and stay clear of active wildfire suppression activities,” says the BCWS.
The fire continues to burn out of control and is still showing rank three to five fire behaviour, which means it is a “moderately vigorous surface fire to extremely vigorous surface fire or active crown fire.”
As of 3 pm on Sunday, no additional evacuation orders or alerts have been issued.
(UPDATE: Sept. 17 @ 12:55 pm) – Evacuation orders have been issued for eight recreational properties due to the Glen Lake wildfire.
The Central Okanagan Emergency Operations Centre (CORD) has issued the orders for properties accessed off Glen Lake Forest Service Road, including:
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Six recreational properties on Glen Lake Forest Service Road, including 5503 Glen Lake Forest Service Road
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Two recreational properties at the 15/16 km mark of Glen Lake Forest Service Road
People under an evacuation order should leave their properties immediately.
In addition, an evacuation alert has been issued for all areas south of Peachland Forest Service Road from the five kilometre marker past the Brenda Forest Service Road to the boundary between the Regional District of Central Okanagan and the Regional District of South Okanagan.
“While the area is mostly crown land mainly used for recreation, anyone entering the alert zone must be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice,” says CORD.
An interactive map showing affected properties is available at cordemergency.ca.
KelownaNow will continue to update this story as more information is provided.
(UPDATE: Sept. 17 @ 12:23 pm) – A new wildfire burning west of Peachland is showing aggressive fire behavior Sunday afternoon.
The Glen Lake fire has grown to an estimated 75 hectares and is now a wildfire of note, which means the fire is highly visible or poses a potential threat to public safety.
In an update provided Sunday afternoon, the BC Wildfire Service says the fire is displaying rank three to five fire behavior.
That means the fire has a moderate rate of spread with occasional candling and has the potential for long-range fire spotting.
The incident management team for the Grouse Complex, which includes the McDougall Creek wildfire, are now taking over management of the Glen Lake fire.
One initial attack crew, a heavy equipment strike team and aerial resources from the Grouse Complex have been assigned to this fire.
(Original story: Sept. 17 @ 9:18 am) – A new wildfire has sparked about 15 kilometres west of Peachland this weekend.
The Glen Lake wildfire was discovered on Saturday, just before 6:30 pm and is suspected to have been started by human activity.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, the fire has grown to 50 hectares and its burning out of control.
“This fire will be highly visible to the surrounding communities and travellers along Highway 97C,” says the BCWS.
One initial attack crew and a BCWS officer are on site with support from a heavy equipment strike team.
Aerial resources being used on other fires in the Okanagan will be called in throughout the day if the conditions allow.
