Skaha Lake boaters told to stay away from air crews working Christie Mountain fire

The City of Penticton is asking that boaters avoid using Skaha Lake as the Mount Christie wildfire continues to burn.

"Air tankers responding to the nearby wildfire are collecting lake water to support their efforts. When aircraft are approaching lake surfaces for this purpose, it is requested that boaters refrain from operating water vessels in any portion of the lake where air tankers are refilling and maintain operational awareness of aircraft in the area," according to the city's press release.

READ MORE: Penticton, RDOS to hold live-streamed conference on Mount Christie wildfire

Boaters are asked to give the air tankers space so they can do their job, according to the news release.

Nearly 4,000 Penticton properties are on evacuation alert. The fire is listed at 1,000 hectares in size, located six kilometres north of Okanagan Falls, on the east side of Skaha Lake, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service's map.

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