A helicopter dumps water on the remains of a wildfire that broke out above Naramata this morning. Photographer: Steve Arstad

Two new fires in the South Okanagan

PENTICTON – B.C. wildfire crews are working to extinguish two new fires in the South Okanagan following active weather on the weekend.

A fire that broke out west of Oliver yesterday, July 20, grew to 82 hectares and is now 80 per cent contained while a new fire discovered this morning near Naramata is now being worked by B.C. Wildfire crews.

The first fire is burning near Willowbrook, and four firefighters, one helicopter and three pieces of heavy equipment are on scene this morning, according to Fire Information Officer Navi Saini. Willowbrook volunteer firefighters are also on hand. Saini says the fire has not prompted any evacuation alerts.

A fire discovered this morning near Adra Tunnel above Naramata is presently estimated at 2.5 hectares, is burning slowly at rank two and is not threatening any infrastructure, Saini says.

Both fires are under investigation, with lightning thought to be the likely cause.

Several fires of note are burning in the Kamloops Fire Centre today, including one along Westside Road north of West Kelowna, one near Ashcroft and another near Falkland.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

Tags
Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

Steve Arstad's Stories

Related Articles