A South Okanagan wildfire burning southwest of Penticton has grown rapidly and may now be more than 200 hectares in size – double Friday’s estimate.
It was discovered Friday along with many others at the Kamloops Fire Center after scattered lightning struck the southern interior.
The Keremeos Creek fire was listed at 100 hectares on Friday evening but was increased to 150 hectares on Saturday morning.
However, in an update Saturday afternoon, the British Columbia Wildfire Service said that due to the aggressive behavior of the fire, the fire is now believed to be 200 or 300 hectares in size.
Read more: New fires at Kamloops fire center including 2 in North Okanagan, 12 in Shuswap
Now considered a landmark wildfire, some of the fire’s aggressive behavior caused it to jump over Green Mountain Road to the east.
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BCWS says there are currently 18 personnel on site, along with four helicopters, structure protection personnel and multiple fire extinguishers.
“Additional helicopters, ground crews and support personnel are en route and will be arriving throughout the day,” BCWS said.
He also said the fire is contained to terrain that air tankers and heavy machinery cannot reach at this time.
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The fire was first reported in the afternoon, with BCWS saying ground personnel and three helicopters immediately began attacking the fire and did so until 9 p.m.
BCWS added that structure protection personnel have been brought in for the Green Mountain Road area.
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An incident response team is on its way and will take control of the fire at 9am on Sunday
This wildfire is now considered a Noteworthy Wildfire. For updates and information as it becomes available, please see here: https://t.co/m8IZY03bVY
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 30, 2022
South Okanagan FDs came together and formed a task force to support the BCWS with structure protection operations last night and beyond. It was complicated fire behavior last night but we did a good job and protected many homes from the fire. pic.twitter.com/h0eHGOPYsJ
— Penticton Fire Chief (@pentictonfire) July 30, 2022
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The fire is located in rugged terrain about 21 km southwest of Penticton or 11 km north of Olala. It is also about five kilometers southeast of Apex Mountain Resort.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown.
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen confirmed one building was lost, with an official describing it as a shack or older building.
As a result, the Similkameen Regional District of Okanagan issued an evacuation warning and evacuation order Friday evening.
1:57 New wildfires have broken out in the North Okanagan New wildfires have broken out in the North Okanagan
The evacuation order, issued at 9:30 p.m., is for Green Mountain Road between Highway 3A southbound and Apex Mountain Road northbound and in the general vicinity of Ford Lake.
The evacuation alert, issued at 10:30 p.m., includes the following properties.
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- 26 Apex Mountain Rd.
- 99 Apex Mountain Rd.
- 108 Apex Mountain Rd.
- 146 Apex Mountain Rd.
- 205 Apex Mountain Road
- 226 Apex Mountain Road
- 1705 Green Mountain Rd.
- 1825 Green Mountain Rd.
- 1907 Green Mountain Rd.
- 1918 Green Mountain Rd.
- 1925 Green Mountain Rd.
- 1940 Green Mountain Rd.
- 1992 Green Mountain Rd.
- 1995 Green Mountain Rd.
- 2011 Green Mountain Rd.
- 2021 Green Mountain Rd.
- 2049 Green Mountain Rd.
- 2050 Green Mountain Rd.
- 2099 Green Mountain Rd.
- 3051 Green Mountain Rd.
- 1038 Highway 3A
- 4585 Sheep Creek Rd.
- 4590 Sheep Creek Rd.
- 4595 Sheep Creek Rd.
- 4690 Sheep Creek Rd.
4:18 High wildfire risk for British Columbia long weekend High wildfire risk for British Columbia long weekend
© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
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