Gusty wind a concern for wildfire crews battling blaze near Kelowna

KELOWNA – The 194-hectare fire burning southeast of Kelowna is completed surrounded by a fire guard, but strong winds in the forecast could change that.

The weather system moving through the Okanagan today, Aug. 29, is bringing rain, but also very strong winds.

Fire information officer Melissa Klassen says there is a machine guard around 100 per cent of the Little White Mountain fire, but that guard may be challenged by winds of up to 50 kilometres per hour today.

She says fire activity was very quiet yesterday because the wind was fairly light, adding crews were able to hold the lines overnight.

There are about 35 firefighters on the ground today fighting the fire along with seven pieces of heavy equipment and a helicopter.

The blaze, which was detected on Thursday, is not threatening any structures and the cause is under investigation.

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