South Okanagan wildfire grows to almost 6,000 hectares; more resources added to fight

In less than 48 hours the Keremeos Creek wildfire has grown from 4,250 hectares to 5,903.

However, only a minimal amount of growth occurred last night, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.

“The fire remains on the north side of Olalla Creek and Sheep Creek Road. Crews continue to work around the clock along Highway 3A and on the north side of Olalla Creek protecting structures,” an update from the wildfire service said.

“Crews reported much cooler temperatures around 3 a.m. which reduced fire behaviour. Wind and slope continue to be the biggest contributing factors for increased fire behaviour.”

Today, Aug. 5, there are 393 firefighters working the blaze, up from 290 yesterday. They are being supported by 15 helicopters and 38 pieces of heavy equipment. The wildfire service said structure protection continued today.

Winds in the area are known to change constantly and their unpredictability has firefighters and emergency officials preparing for the worst, said Tim Roberts, the area's elected regional director.

"We are always under the risk of Mother Nature, so it's always good to be preventive, prepared for the worst and hope for the best," he said in an interview. "As the name states, the (Indigenous) name for Keremeos means valley of the three winds. So you can tell, winds change hourly."

Much of wildfire was concentrated in steep, mountainous terrain today, and was less threatening to Olalla's estimated 400 properties on evacuation order, but that could change, Roberts said. Residents of the nearby village of Keremeos are on evacuation alert.

For more information about evacuation orders and alerts go to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen website here and/or the Penticton Indian Band here.

The cause of the wildfire, discovered on July 29, is under investigation.

— With files from The Canadian Press.

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