Poor visibility makes it difficult for crews
Castanet Staff – July 31, 2022 / 10:09 | History: 378034
Photo: BC Wildfire Service
View of the Keremeos Creek wildfire on July 29, 2022
UPDATE 10:10 a.m
There was minimal growth at the Keremeos Creek Wildfire overnight.
The fire remains at about 437 hectares, but poor visibility is hampering efforts to control the wildfire southeast of Apex Mountain.
The BC Wildfire Service says conditions currently present challenges for air support resources. One helicopter is on site and three helicopters are available once visibility improves.
About 25 properties in the area around Ford Lake are under evacuation orders, while hundreds more, including the village of Apex Mountain, are on evacuation alert.
ORIGINAL 4:00 a.m
Firefighters battled the Keremeos Creek wildfire southeast of Apex Mountain overnight.
About 25 properties in the area around Ford Lake remain under evacuation orders while hundreds more, including the village of Apex Mountain, are on evacuation alert.
The fire was mapped Saturday evening at 437 acres and is burning in terrain inoperable for heavy equipment or air tankers. Helicopters, ground crews and para-attack firefighters were in action on Saturday and will continue to do so on Sunday.
Firefighters from across the South Okanagan are assisting with structural protection work. Emergency officials said Saturday that at least one small residential structure was lost in the fire.
“Apex Volunteer Fire Rescue is fully aware and we are working with the BC Wildfire Service and the RDOS to coordinate and develop a structure protection/defense plan along with acquiring/positioning the appropriate resources,” he said Saturday night the Apex Mountain Volunteer Fire Department.
The BC Wildfire Service says it is mobilizing all resources in the region to fight the fire. Crews have been training for the past week amid the heat wave in anticipation of increased fire activity.
Fifty forest firefighters and an incident command team were assigned to the fire since Saturday night.
Castanet will provide updates on the fire here throughout the day.