The B.C. Wildfire Service says more planned ignitions are expected for today at the Eagle Bluff wildfire north of Oliver.
Fire information officer Shannon Street says the 2,270-hectare fire did not grow much overnight, something they observed with night-vision flights over the blaze.
“But later today with the planned ignitions there will be a little bit of additional growth,” she said, explaining those will take place, weather permitting, north of McKinney Road and east of the Manuel Canyon Road area.
Those burns will follow up on previous ignitions in the Mud Lake and Gallagher Lake areas.
Successful planned ignitions conducted by #BCWildfire crews on the #EagleBluff wildfire today. #OliverBC pic.twitter.com/To8M5EAmRo
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 9, 2019
Structural protection crews have been dispersed throughout the evacuation alert areas, checking on buildings and maintaining structures. Around 250 properties remain on alert.
The fire continues to move in a south, south-east direction into terrain more accessible to ground crews.
“There are still certainly some areas that are inoperable for crews in the canyon areas where its just not safe or effective to put heavy equipment, but in some areas where the fire has grown it has made it a little bit easier for heavy equipment to be able to work safely,” Street said.
One-hundred-sixty firefighters are being supported by 13 helicopters and 19 pieces of heavy equipment. A new fire base has now been constructed at the Oliver airport.
Street reminds the public that all local businesses remain open.
– Colin Dacre, Castanet
