BC Wildfire crews continue to fight several fires in the Okanagan, after a thunderstorm rolled through the region earlier this week, sparking a number of small blazes.
The Mt. Kathleen fire, burning 26 kilometres west of Peachland, sent a moderate amount of smoke over Peachland and West Kelowna Friday afternoon, and it continues to burn out of control Saturday.
Currently, 30 BC Wildfire Service firefighters are working on the 10-hectare fire, with the assistance of two helicopters.
Farther west, 34 firefighters are fighting the five-hectare Shovelnose Mountain fire, burning south of Merritt. Two helicopters are also assisting on the out-of-control fire.
UPDATE: The Shovelnose Mountain fire (K61721), ~30 kms S of #Merritt, is ~15 has & remains classified as out of control. 34 #BCWildfire personnel are on site, supported by 2 helicopters. No communities or infrastructure are currently threatened. pic.twitter.com/O8QCtYCTvE
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) September 7, 2019
East of Penticton, 25 firefighters and three helicopters have been assigned to the seven-hectare Kerr Creek fire, which is burning out of control in the Penticton Creek valley. Due to cooler conditions overnight, this fire didn't show any growth overnight.
All three fires are believed to have been sparked during Tuesday night's thunderstorm that rolled through the southern part of the province. The fires are not burning near any structures.
Late Friday night, the BC Wildfire Service was alerted to a fire burning west of Vernon, near Whitemans Creek. Three firefighters are searching for the fire Saturday, but they have yet to reach it, and its size is unknown.
To report a wildfire, call 1-800-663-5555.
– Nicholas Johansen, Castanet
