This story has been updated to reflect recently released estimates of the fire perimeter size after clearing smoke enabled aircraft to more accurately assess the size. The perimeter map has also been updated.
By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
The Keremeos Creek wildfire has grown to an estimated 2,790hectares but its growth has been slowed by a temperature inversion over the last few days.
Speaking at a Regional District Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS) briefing Monday afternoon. Bryan Zandberg, B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) information officer said the last two or three days have seen a temperature inversion which has slowed the pace of the fire.
Keremeos Creek interface fire quadruples in size
He explained that a temperature inversion “is a band of air that is pushing smoke back down on the fire so less oxygen is available to it.”
He said the pattern in the last few days was an inversion in the morning and early afternoon breaking down when the temperature reaches 27-28°C which has seen the fire ramping up late afternoon and early evening. “We are anticipating the same situation today,” he added.
Wind gusts and the chance of thunderstorms are in the forecast for today, with Zandberg saying this scenario is “quite concerning”.
Updated perimeter map.
As of 2:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, 324 properties are under evacuation order and 73 properties are under evacuation alert. Most fall within Electorial Area I, with some in Area G as well. This includes the following areas: White Lake and Twin Lake communities; Hwy. 3A between Green Mountain Rd. and Olalla; Olalla, east of Hwy. 3A.
Much of the wildfire is located in terrain that is inoperable for air tanker and heavy machinery support, the BCWS said. But as the fire moves into an area to the west that is accessible to heavy equipment it says it has begun building a line in Sheep Creek.
Currently, there are 144 firefighters, nine helicopters and four pieces of heavy equipment on the fire.
Keremeos Creek wildfire. Photos courtesy BCWS
Zandberg noted that this fire has plenty of ‘well-cured’ fuel, low humidity level and localized weather conditions – like wind – which are pushing the fire in an “unorganized fashion”. “Overall it is not a very organized fire where we can predict the direction it is going,” he said
On the ranking of severity on a scale of 1-6, he said the fire was exhibiting Rank 4 behaviour but reached Rank 5 last night with some tree ‘candling’.
Fire growth is in steep and inaccessible terrain, the BCWS said. “Crews are building contingency lines, while continuing to concentrate their efforts on areas impacting residents; supporting Structure Protection.” Contingency line evaluation is being done in conjunction with First Nations and external partners, it added.
BC Wildfire Service is working with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, Penticton Indian Band, Lower Similkameen Indian Band and Okanagan Nation Alliance.
With lower temperatures from today and the possibility of precipitation by Thursday, Zandberg said this would help the situation. “With the inversion, and cooler temps for the next two to three days crews will be using these conditions to their advantage.”
The RDOS urged those under evacuation alerts and orders to be prepared and leave their properties when notified. A reception centre has been set up at Princess Margaret Secondary School and group lodging has been arranged for those who cannot find their own accommodation.
