Boats on Okanagan Lake are getting in the way of water bombers trying to scoop up water south of the Bennett Bridge in Kelowna, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2015. Credit: Facebook/Okanagan Running Info

VIDEO: Boaters get in way of water bombers on Okanagan Lake

KELOWNA – The forest fire burning in the Little White mountain area southeast of Kelowna has more than tripled in size today, plus efforts to fight the blazer are being hampered by boaters on Okanagan Lake.

Calls about a big plume of black smoke southeast of Kelowna this morning, Aug. 27, sparked an immediate response from B.C. Wildfire. It was one of three news fires spotted in the Central Okanagan today.

Fire information officer Melissa Klassen says the 30 hectare fire has grown to 150 ha and is burning about 25 kilometres southeast of the city. It is not contained but isn't threatening any structures.

Crews on the ground are getting air support from amphibious water bombers who are scooping in Okanagan Lake between the Bennett Bridge and Okanagan Mountain Park.

The problem is boats on the lake are getting in the way.

Kelowna Fire Rescue platoon captain Tim Light is asking boaters to “stay a clear and safe distance from the amphibious water bombers so as to allow them to safely fill their tanks in Okanagan Lake.”

No word yet what sparked the fire.

WATER BOMBERS back in Kelowna, BC to fight LITTLE WHITE FIRE! :D> CLICK on the HD in the right bottom corner, to see the video SHARPER! We saved & uploaded this video in 854 x 480 pixels, so watch it on the smaller screen, not full screen! <

Posted by Okanagan Running Info on Thursday, August 27, 2015

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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2 responses

  1. Murray Maxwell

    Yes to all boaters on Okanagan Lake there in Kelowna, please for safety sake do keep an eye out for these wonderful water bombers coming down to pick up another load. And stay out of their way. The marinas need to put up warning signs.

  2. Daniel Knutson

    There should be boating ban in the time of emergency

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Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.

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