New fire north of Summerland; another anxious night for Similkameen residents

PENTICTON – Fire crews in the South Okanagan and Similkameen are battling a new blaze north of Summerland today.

The new fire broke out yesterday in the vicinity of Darke Lake north of Faulder, prompting an evacuation alert from the regional district.

Darke Lake Provincial Park and 21 properties nearby went on alert notice yesterday evening, Aug. 20, exactly one month since the same residents were put on alert following the Mount Eneas fire.

B.C. Wildfire Fire Information Officer Shelley Zupp said today, Aug. 21, 21 ground crew and air support by helicopters, possibly air tankers are working to complete a hose lay around the perimeter of the fire, which is now three quarters complete. She said the fire was "responding well to suppression efforts."

The fire was discovered yesterday and has grown to 4.8 hectares.

The Snowy Mountain fire continues to cause anxious days and nights for Similkameen residents in Keremeos. B.C. Wildfire Fire Information Officer Steve Kada says a change in weather yesterday resulted in increased fire activity, especially along the north and northwest slope of K Mountain, where it burned to control lines on the valley floor.

Kada says crews are on the fire front 24 hours a day, working on direct extinguishment of the flames during the night along the control lines.

By day, crews are performing hand held ignitions in an effort to burn off fuels between the fire front and the containment lines.

The fire was highly visible to Keremeos residents last night.

Kada says there has been no increase in threat to structures as a result of the burning.

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