UPDATE: Drone threatening efforts to douse Vernon wildfire

The Becker Lake wildfire fight has been hampered by a drone in the area.

Reports have come in that the planes were called off the five hectare blaze near Vernon after the drone was spotted.

"If a drone collides with firefighting aircraft, the consequences could be deadly. Anyone caught operating a drone that interferes with fire control could be fined up to $100,00, jailed for up to a year, or both," BC Wildfire said in a Tweet.

B.C. Wildfire Service crews fire information officer Madison Smith said it was originally listed at one hectare earlier today and is displaying aggressive fire behaviour.

She did not have information if it was threatening to area structures as of yet.

Vernon residents began reporting the highly visible wildfire just after 1 p.m., July 10.

#BCWildfire Service (BCWS) is responding the Becker Lake wildfire (K41727). It is ~1.0 ha and is currently “Out of Control.” 4 BCWS personnel and 2 helicopters are en route and will receive assistance from airtankers. The fire is very visible from #VernonBC and surrounding areas. pic.twitter.com/SQqdrZ9nHv

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 10, 2021

B.C. Wildfire responded immediately with four personnel, two helicopters and air tankers.

The fire is roughly three to five kilometres east of Vernon in the Becker Lake area.

Fire information officer Taylor MacDonald said B.C. Wildfire is being assisted by local fire departments but could not provide an estimation on how close the fire is to structures. No evacuation alerts or orders have been recommended at this time, she said.

The fire is currently classified as out of control.

– This story was updated at 3:30 p.m. to include a comment from MacDonald.

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