Wildfire burning in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park

A wildfire discovered to in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park near Vernon this afternoon has already reached a hectare in size.

The wildfire was discovered today, Aug. 19, and B.C. Wildfire Service crews are responding to it.

The cause of the fire is unknown but it's burning within the park's boundaries, according to the wildfire service.

The BC Wildfire Service is responding to the Cosens Creek wildfire (K41571) located eight kilometers southeast of Vernon within the Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. It is about eight kilometres southeast of Vernon.

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 19, 2022

The fire is highly visible to area residents.

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Fire information officer Aydan Coray said air tankers and helicopters are dropping water on the fire and utilizing the lake so she asked boaters to stay away from the area.

The fire is exhibiting rank two and three fire behaviour, meaning organized flame front with moderate rate of spread and occasional candling, according to the service.

Ground crews are also on route.

— This story was updated at 4:33 p.m. Aug. 19, 2002, with more accurate information on the wildfire's location.

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