A bird dog and bomber fight a fire east of Oroville, WA just over the border from Osoyoos. The fire broke out on Monday afternoon. It follows a number of wildfires started by lightning storms Sunday night. Check this week’s Osoyoos Times for an update on the wildfire situation. (Richard McGuire photo)
Several new small wildfires caused by lightning broke out in the Osoyoos area over the weekend, including one just over the U.S. border at Wildhorse, 6 km southeast of Oroville.
That fire, visible from Osoyoos, flared up Monday evening. A tanker plane dropped retardant and helicopters dropped water, trying to slow its spread. Fifty residences are threatened, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.
There were more than 1,200 lightning strikes in the Kamloops Fire Centre, which includes Osoyoos, in the thunderstorm that passed through the region Sunday night.
From Sunday to Monday, 115 new wildfires flared up across the province, after the total number of wildfires had dropped to 159 last Friday from 197 a week earlier. The fire risk in the South Okanagan continues to be moderate to high. Wildfire danger ratings can change quickly as a result of changing weather patterns.
At Willowbrook, 5 km northwest of Oliver, a wildfire of note caused by lightning grew to an estimated 82 hectares, but was 80 per cent contained as of 1 p.m. Tuesday.
Lightning strikes caused fires also discovered on Sunday near Oliver and to the east of Osoyoos west of Rhone and Highway 33.
Small lightning-caused fires were also discovered Monday west of Highway 3 and east of the Snowy Protected Area near Chopaka and Showdy Creek.
East of Osoyoos, more lightning-caused fires were discovered near Fish Creek Road, Johnstone Creek, Conkle Lake and several near Bridesville.
A large fire at Newby Lake, straddling the U.S. border, continues to be active, but is now downgraded and is no longer considered a “fire of note” in Canada. Most of it is now burning south of the border. It covered more than 2,000 hectares and was only 20 per cent contained as of last Thursday, with crews on both sides of the border fighting to prevent its spread.
North of West Kelowna, at Westside Road, a lightning-caused fire discovered on Sunday had spread to 430 hectares by Tuesday afternoon, leading to an evacuation order and alert affecting about 70 homes. Nearly 1,400 homes have no power as a result of the fire.
A smaller person-caused fire at Bear Creek Park west of Kelowna started Sunday afternoon and covered 1.8 hectares. As of Monday morning, it was 75 per cent contained and B.C. Wildfire Service responded with six air tankers, three helicopters and 26 firefighters.
Campfires and open burning are still banned in most of the province including the South Okanagan.
The Kamloops Fire Centre issued a bulletin last week reminding people that high-risk activities such as cutting firewood are subject to restrictions.
This also applies to the use of spark-producing machinery such as welders, mowers, chainsaws, grinders, power tools and any equipment that could strike a rock and create a spark.
People doing this work may be required to have fire suppression systems and equipment available, maintain a watch after operations are completed and comply with shutdown regulations.
Shutdown times apply to areas where the fire danger rating has been “extreme” for more than three consecutive days.
The public is asked to call *5555 cellular or 1-800-663-5555 to report wildfires or burning violations.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
A wildfire burns on a forested hillside east of Oroville, WA, just over the border from Osoyoos. This shot was taken around 7 p.m. Monday night from Haynes Point Provincial Park. (Richard McGuire photo)
