Wildfires Update
Written by 107.5 Kiss FM Thursday, 29 July 2010 09:45
A lightning storm swept through the south Okanagan yesterday evening, prompting more than 100 fire reports from the public.
The most visible of these fires is on the Joe Rich Forest Service Road between Kelowna and Big White.
The fire is estimated at 10 hectares in size and is showing a slow rate of spread this morning.
There are no homes threatened and no evacuation alerts or orders.
The fire was reported shortly after two a.m. and the suspected cause is lightning. Resources on site include one forest officer, one initial attack crew, one dozer and one water tender.
An additional 10 firefighters are on route to support the fire suppression efforts.
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The fire burning southeast of Bonaparte Lake (north of Kamloops) is now called the Mason Lake wildfire.
The fire is now estimated at 110 hectares in size; this change is due to more accurate mapping late last night.
Airtankers, including the Martin Mars, focused on structure protection on the east side of the wildfire yesterday. This was done by laying fire retardant to slow the fire's growth and then following up with the Martin Mars to provide cooling action by raising the relative humidity near the fire's edge.
High temperatures, low relative humidities and winds are anticipated in the area and will pose a challenge for resources again today.
Efforts will be focusing on protecting access and egress routes on the southeast portion of the wildfire near the Jamieson Creek Forest Service Road.
An evacuation order remains in place for a one mile radius around Bonaparte Lake.
Residents with health and safety concerns resulting from the fire can call the Thompson Nicola Regional District Information Line at1-866-377-7188.
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The B.C. Forest Service is still assisting Kamloops Fire and Rescue with the Barnhartvale Wildfire. The fire remains at 53 hectares in size and will be actively patrolled today with 26 firefighters.
The wildfire is 100 per cent guarded and 85 per cent contained. Crews will continue to reinforce the fireguard by laying hose and cooling hot spots 100 feet inside the guard.
The Evacuation Alert remains in place for residence in the area and will be re-evaluated after today's efforts on the fireline.
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The Jade Mountain Wildfire in the Yalakom Valley near Lillooet is still estimated at 1000 hectares in size.
Aggressive fire behaviour was responsible for a flare up on the southwest flank of the wildfire yesterday afternoon.
Resources on site today include 125 firefighters, five structure protection unit personnel, 11 helicopters and 19 pieces of heavy equipment.
