Crews battle Bear Creek Park fire near Kelowna
Forty Wildfire Management Branch fire fighters are working alongside an equivalent number of West Kelowna Fire Department and mutual aid personnel to contain an estimated 35 hectare fire in Bear Creek Provincial Park.
Strong down slope winds and aggressive fire behaviour hampered fire fighters who battled the blaze that broke out around 10 p.m. last night.
Air tankers have placed retardant along the fire perimeter to slow the fire’s growth. Roads in the area also are being used as containment lines.
Helicopters will be utilized today to slow the spread of the fire and assist ground crews in fire guard construction and extinguishing hot spots, however, low lying smoke from an inversion may hinder air support.
Fire cause investigators are working to determine what sparked the human-caused blaze.
Hot, dry conditions are expected to continue throughout the week and the public is reminded a campfire ban remains in effect in the Merritt and Lillooet fire zones. An open burning ban also remains in effect throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre.
- It is important no campfires are left unattended and recreationalists comply with campfire bans and open burning restrictions.
- To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, call *5555 on your cellular phone or toll-free at 1-800 663-5555.
For the latest information on current wildfire activity, burning restrictions, road closures and air quality advisories, go to http://www.bcforestfireinfo.gov.bc.ca.
