Eagle Bluff wildfire shows little growth overnight, more ignitions planned

PENTICTON – A wet and cooler couple of days has had a significant effect on the Eagle Bluff wildfire burning 10 km south of Okanagan Falls.

B.C. Wildfire Service reports this morning, Aug. 12, morning conditions were cool with no significant fire growth reported overnight.

"Fire activity has decreased due to planned ignitions and cooler temperatures. Despite the reduced risk to structures and communities, this wildfire is still active and smoke remains visible,” B.C. Wildfire Services said in a tweet this morning, Aug. 12.

The fire remains classified as out of control at 2,632 ha, with most of the active fire burning on the top of the mountain, and any new growth is now predominantly east and northeast.

The fire no longer poses any immediate threat to structures and evacuation alerts by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen and the Osoyoos Indian Band were rescinded over the weekend.

Structural protection units and fire department resources were demobilizing from the fire scene yesterday due to the active fire front’s movement away from threatened properties. Should the situation change this equipment could be brought back.

Heavy equipment continues to construct guards in areas where possible. Another planned ignition is being prepared on the fire’s northern flank in the coming days.

There are currently 145 firefighters working the fire during the day with 47 personnel working overnight. Nineteen pieces of heavy equipment and 10 helicopters have been assigned to the blaze.

The fire was first discovered just over a week ago, on Aug. 4. An investigation into the cause of the blaze continues.

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