Cool weather limits growth of Okanagan wildfire; evacuation alerts lifted
Officials still say the wildfire is out of control and has grown to close to 27 square kilometres
Officials say a wildfire burning south of Pentictonhas grown to close to 27 square kilometres but cooler weather has limited its growth.
The B.C. Wildfire Service also says that evacuation alerts issued by the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen and the Osyoos Indian Band have been rescinded.
Fire information officer Shannon Street said cooler temperatures and some rain have helped firefighters manage the Eagle Bluff wildfire.
The fire is the only fire of note in Southern B.C., meaning the service has been able to focus significant amounts of resources on it.
UPDATE: The #EagleBluff wildfire is no longer of immediate threat, and the Evacuation Alert issued by the @EmergMgtRDOS & the Osoyoos Indian Band has been rescinded. For more info, visit: https://t.co/0psQU5rjk3 & https://t.co/dCGD9uQ1QL. #BCWildfire #OliverBC
—@BCGovFireInfo
"It's nice we've had the option to bring in resources pretty much as we need them right now," said Street. "We've been able to get a lot of firefighters and equipment on it pretty quick."
No structures threatened
Crews mapped the perimeter of the wildfire and conducted plannedignitionsFriday evening, helping to direct the growth of thefire southeast toward safer, more workable terrain for groundcrews.
As of Sunday,no structures werethreatened by the fire.
Still, Street saidthe fire will likely grow this week as crews do controlled burns to try to contain it.
#BCWildfire Big Horns and Vernon Unit Crews conducting the Planned Ignition on the #EagleBluff wildfire today: pic.twitter.com/XSI5o3MWO7
—@BCGovFireInfo
with files from Canadian Press and Bob Keating