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UPDATE: Mount Eneas wildfire now classified as 'under control'

(UPDATE: Aug. 1 @ 2:10 p.m.) - The BC Wildfire Service is now classifying the Mount Eneas wildfire as under control.

"The fire has received sufficient suppression action to ensure no further spread of the fire," reads the latest update.

BC Wildfire does warn that despite the decrease in action and resources on Okanagan fires, they are expected to keep producing smoke as crews mop them up.

Despite it's new status, 62 firefighters and two pieces of heavy equipment are still working on site.

(UPDATE: July 30 @ 8:25 p.m.) - Success on the west side of the Okanagan Lake at Mount Eneas has caused both a decrease in firefighters on site and a demobilization of gear, says Glen Burgess, Incident Commander of BCWFS Okanagan Complex.

"We're starting to release our primary, type 1 responders with contract crews and begin to even demobilize certain sections of the fire — so, pull the hose lines and the water systems," explained Burgess.

The BCWFS is using a combination of drone and helicopter scanning to detect hotspots and allow crews to suppress the fire as efficiently as possible.

63 firefighters and two pieces of heavy equipment attacked the fire today and the fire remains at 1,793 hectares in size.

(UPDATE: July 30 @ 11:10 a.m.) - The number of BC Wildfire firefighters responding to the Mount Eneas wildfire continues to decrease as the threat diminishes.

Only 63 firefighters and two pieces of heavy equipment remain on site, with air support on standby if it's needed.

Just like across the lake at the Goode's Creek wildfire, temperatures reached a sweltering 42°C on Sunday, making it an even tougher test for the remaining firefighters.

The fire remains at 1,793 hectares, which is the same size it's been since Monday, July 23.

(UPDATE: July 29 @ 8:45 p.m.) - The status of the Mount Eneas fire has not changed since the update from Sunday morning.

(UPDATE: July 29 @ 9:10 a.m.) - The Mount Eneas wildfire is classified as under control at this time, but BC Wildfire Service warns that there may be some smoke coming from the fire with the sustained heat we are seeing.

"With the sustained heat, some green patches are drying out and re-igniting which is putting up lots of smoke. This is completely contained and within the blackline. Crews are aware and monitoring," said BC Wildfire Service.

There are 87 firefighters and two pieces of heavy equipment at the scene today. The estimated size remains at 1,793 hectares.

(UPDATE: July 28 @ 5:15 p.m.) - Glen Burgess, Incident Commander of BCWFS Okanagan Complex, confirmed at a press conference on Saturday that the Mount Eneas fire has been declared as under control.

Despite their progress and their growing confidence in recent days, Burgess said, "There's still a lot of crews and resources out there."

They are continuing to mop up hot spots and employing ground patrols and aerial heat scanning to better focus the crew's energy in suppressing the fire.

Fire crews are also reminding residents that the fires continue to be active work zones and should be avoided.

(UPDATE: July 28 @ 9:32 a.m.) - The Mount Eneas wildfire is still being held at the same size of 1,793 hectares today.

The fire is not yet classified as under control, but it is expected to stay within containment lines.

There is a heat scan scheduled for this fire. Once the results have been evaluated, crews will respond accordingly to extinguish whatever heat is detected. In the meantime, crews will continue patrolling to seek out any hot spots.

There are 87 firefighters and two pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the fire today.

(UPDATE: July 27 @ 9:45 a.m.) - The Mount Eneas wildfire is classified as 'held' and crews are now working on mopping the fire up.

"Today's objectives are to extinguish hot spots and mop up," reads the latest release from BC Wildfire. "Night crews continue to mop up and patrol."

The one challenge remaining on this fire is the north end, where there are some patchy ground with some unburnt areas along the perimeter.

However, good progress continues to be made and some sections have blackline 400 feet into the perimeter.

(UPDATE: July 26 @ 10:40 a.m.) - Work continues on the Mount Eneas wildfire, which is finally classified as 'held.'

The fire has been estimated at 1,793 hectares since Monday and no more growth is expected.

"Good progress is being made with some sections have being black lined 400 feet into the perimeter," explained Marla Catherall, fire information officer, who added that today's objective is to extinguish hot spots.

There are 82 personnel on site today, with 62 of those from BC Wildfire and another being contract firefighters, along with six pieces of heavy equipment.

A nightshift continues to work this blaze overnight as well.

(UPDATE: July 25 @ 8:50 a.m.) - With no more growth expected, the Mount Eneas fire remains at 1,793 hectares.

According to fire information officer, Marla Catherall, there are 97 firefighters working on the blaze today, with 82 from BC Wildfire and another 15 from contract crews.

A night shift is still assigned to the fire.

"Today's objectives are to continue to tie the merged fires with control lines and crews continue to build hose line from north to south on each side of the fire," she explained.

The Mount Eneas fire has no evacuation orders outstanding but does have properties on evacuation alert.

(UPDATE: July 24 @ 8:20 p.m.) - There is no change in the size of the fire as of this update, the fire remains at 1,793 hectares.

Glen Burgess, incident commander for the Okanagan Complex said today: "While the fire, in particular the Mount Eneas fire, we are not anticipating further growth or anticipated problems with it going forward, even though we have the hot, dry weather coming forward, we're really feeling positive how things are going there. We still have a lot of resources on the scene and we are certainly not downsizing in way, shape or fashion and at the end of the day, we're real happy where that's gone," said Burgess.

124 firefighters worked on the fire today including ground crews, heavy equipment and air support. Today's objectives include maintaining containment on the west flank and continuing to lay hose.

(UPDATE: July 24 @ 10:55 a.m.) - The Mount Eneas wildfire continues to exhibit rank one and rank two fire behaviour.

BC Wildfire continues to classify it as out of control, but it does remain at 1,793 hectares, the same size it was estimated at on Monday night.

Today, 74 firefighters remain on scene battling the blaze and there remains a night shift assigned to the fire as well.

Today's objectives are to continue to tie the merged fires with control lines, burn out any fuels as needed and mop up behind burn-off," reads the latest update from BC Wildfire.

"Crews continue to build hose line from north/south and south/north on each side of the fire."

The Mount Eneas fire has no evacuation orders outstanding but does have properties on evacuation alert.

<who>Photo Credit: BC Wildfire

(UPDATE: July 23 @ 8:34 p.m.) - The Mount Eneas fire grew to approximately 1,793 hectares on Monday.

The size, says Noelle Kekula, BC Wildfire Service Information Officer, is a byproduct of the controlled burn meant to connect the Munroe Lakes fire with the Mount Eneas fire that occurred on Sunday.

<who>Photo Credit: Lana Dionne</who>

Kekula also noted that, like many of the fires in the RDOS and CORD areas, the Mount Eneas wildfire was slow-moving and stayed within containment lines.

124 firefighters of the nearly 300 present at the Incident Management Complex were actioning the Mount Eneas fire today, with today's objective focusing on maintaining containment on the west flank and continuing to lay hose.

Photo credit: Kari Kallen

BC Wildfire is prioritizing the fire due to its "proximity to values as well as its visibility."

The Mount Eneas fire has no evacuation orders outstanding but does have properties on Evacuation Alert.

(UPDATE: July 23 @ 10 a.m.) - More than 100 firefighters continue to fight the Mount Eneas wildfire.

A number of crews patrolled the fire's containment lines overnight and are now heading home for some "much-needed and well-deserved rest" says BC Wildfire.


Although the fire is still listed as out-of-control, a controlled burn on Sunday was successful and crews can now fight the fire on flatter, safer ground.

"Fire is more visible in the dark and, as a result, it may appear more active overnight," reads a tweet from BC Wildfire. "However, the cooler temperature and higher humidity often experienced at night can help to minimize fire activity."

Monday morning's update from BC Wildfire also states that the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is planning to downgrade any evacuation orders to alerts.

When that happens, NowMedia will update our ongoing evacuation story for the Mount Eneas wildfire.

(UPDATE: July 22 @ 9:45 p.m.) - BC Wildfire Service has reported that due to their successful burn operations between the Mount Eneas and Munroe Lakes wildfire, the two have fused into an approximately 1,516-hectare fire.

The two fires will now merge to become the Mount Eneas wildfire.

The planned ignitions may have caused the fire to grow, but BC Wildfire reports that this will remove the fire fuel that was present on the steeper slopes and allow crews to action the fire on flatter, safer ground.

112 firefighters were on site today with support from heavy equipment and air support.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow</who>

The fire remains out of control and evacuation alerts remain in effect for North Beach Road, Callan Road and Highway 97 areas affected by the Mt. Eneas wildfire.

(UPDATE: July 22 @ 3:33 p.m.) - Successful burn operations have joined the Mount Eneas fire and the Munroe Lake fire this afternoon.

Incident Manager Glen Burgess says that burn operation conducted this afternoon have put them in a much better position for firefighting efforts.

He says that unburnt fuel was removed from between the two fires, which was done for public safety as well as for the safety of firefighters.

Firefighters working between the two fires would be put at too much risk due to the steep terrain the fire is burning in.

"The plume of smoke can be unnerving," said Burgess, adding that the alternative would be waiting for Mother Nature to do it.

Burgess says they opted to do it "on out own terms" when the weather was cooperating.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow

BC Wildfire used aerial ignition and hand ignition to drop balls of chemical filled ignition in the area between the fires and on the perimeter. Burgess says the burns increase the size of the fire by less than 10% overall, but significantly reduced risk to their crews. The controlled burn was 150 hectares in size.

They also brought the fire down the slope to a road just above Highway 97 to give firefighters better access to the fire.

Burgess says that so far the operation has been a success and nothing unexpected has happened at the scene.

(UPDATE: July 22 @ 1:22 p.m.) - There is increased smoke from the Mount Eneas wildfire 4 km south of Peachland due to burn operations.

The burns are being done by both helicopter and hand ignition to decrease fire perimeter and bring the fire to workable safe terrain for ground crews.

BC Wildfire says they are closely evaluating conditions and plans may change as conditions change. In preparation for the operations, airtankers are creating a fire retardant line on the northwest corner of the fire.

<who>Photo Credit: Kari Kallen

(UPDATE: July 22 @ 9:20 a.m.) - The Mount Eneas wildfire remains at an estimated 1,374 hectares.

According to BC Wildfire Services, the fire continues to stay within the containment lines and fire behavior has decreased significantly.

"As of last night, the fire was exhibiting rank one and two fire behavior, which is characteristic of a low-intensity ground fire," says BC Wildfire Services.

49 firefighters remain on site and today crews are strengthening containment lines with heavy equipment, hose lay and air support.

For the latest on evacuation alerts and orders for this fire, click here.

(UPDATE: July 21 @ 8:40 a.m.) - The Mount Eneas wildfire is still estimated at 1,374 hectares in size this morning.

BC Wildfire reports that that the fire stayed within the containment lines yesterday, and did not cross the highway yesterday or overnight.

This morning operations will fly the fire to monitor the progress that has been made by the crews and air support. An update will be provided later this morning after the flight is completed.

The objectives for today is to strengthen containment by using heavy equipment, hose lay and air support.

“Firefighting efforts have been supported with the hard work of the fire fighters, local fire departments, hydro crews and other partners,” says the BC Wildfire Service.

There are 49 firefighters on site. The wildfire is still classified as out of control.

For the latest on evacuation alerts and orders for this fire, click here.

(UPDATE: July 20 @ 9:29 p.m.) - Despite suppression efforts continuing through Thursday night and all-day Friday, BC Wildfire Service has tracked the growing Mt. Eneas wildfire to approximately 1,374 hectares.

57 firefighters were on site today with one unit of heavy equipment attempting to suppress the blaze.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who>

"That spread did happen kind of in the northwest area of the fire, kind of growing over the other side of the hill," commented Brenna Ward, Information Officer for the Kamloops Fire Centre. "A lot of that had to do with the wind as well as the topography of the fire. The slope, I guess is what helped prompt that spread."

Despite the fire remaining an interface fire with evacuations in effect, no structures were lost on Friday.

The Mt. Eneas wildfire is still considered out of control. Crews will be on scene overnight to monitor the fire.

(UPDATE: July 20, 2018 @ 9:55 a.m.) - The Mount Eneas wildfire is still estimated at 1,000 hectares and is classified as out of control.

The fire is an interface fire, and evacuation orders and alerts are in place.

<who>Photo Credit: Kari Kallen

Wind issues arising at 6 p.m. each day have prompted earlier starts for aircraft since flying conditions become hazardous after that time.

On the ground, crews will continue their work on the north and south flanks of the fire today.

"Today, one unit crew will continue to build hand guard on the south flank of the fire and the other unit crew will be placed on the north flank," reads the latest update from BC Wildfire.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia

There are 40 firefighters assigned to the fire and additional resources have been requested. Tankers are on standby and will be deployed if necessary.

Helicopters are expected to bucket on the fire today. Additional heavy equipment resources will be going in today as well.

An Incident Management team is expected to be deployed to the fire today.

(UPDATE: 7:18 p.m.) - An Incident Management team has been deployed by the BC Wildfire Service to manage several wildfires occurring in the Okanagan region, including Mt. Eneas, but will not become active until tomorrow.

The Incident Management team, in preparation for their role in the fire, was able to canvas the fire today to get a better idea of the size with improved mapping.

Their efforts led to determine a size estimation of 1,000-hectares for the Mt. Eneas fire.

"There's two things: it definitely grew today - how much it grew, we don't know - but we also know the increase is from better mapping," explained Noelle Kekula, Incident Management Information Officer.

The Mt. Eneas fire is considered an interface fire and is currently threatening structures and homes, although no structures have been damaged at this time.

Structural Protection units have been deployed to respond to the situation.

The Mt. Eneas fire remains uncontained.

Approximately 130 firefighters and 14 helicopters are being allocated to all of the fires in the Okanagan area controlled by the Incident Management team, with more on the way, added Kekula.

(UPDATE: 1 p.m.) - The District of Summerland has declared a local state of emergency due to the proximity of the Mount Eneas wildfire.

However, the District says that this is just "a precautionary measure."

A number of evacuation orders remain in place, which you can find out more about by clicking this link.

An Emergency Services Reception Centre has been set up at Memorial Arena (399 Power St.) in Penticton.

You can contact 250-486-3765 if you have any questions on evacuation orders or alerts, or this state of local emergency.

All properties along Garnet Valley Road north of, and including, Wildhorse Road have been evacuated. Click here for updates on evacuations orders and alerts for this fire.

(UPDATE: 12:05 p.m.) - The latest estimate from the District of Summerland has the Mount Eneas wildfire measured around 600 hectares.

It's currently out of control and there is 0% continiment at this time with more personnel and resources expected to arrive on scene today.

The BC Wildfire Service, District of Summerland and the District of Peachland are coordinating efforts in the attack on this fire.

According to a NowMedia reporter in the area, the Red Cross has just arrived to provide assistance.

There are still evacuation alerts in place and major delays on Hwy 97.

NowMedia will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

(Original story: July 19 @ 9:45 a.m.) - The Mount Eneas wildfire, which is burning about four kilometres south of Peachland, has grown significantly.

A 9 a.m. update from the BC Wildfire Service has the fire at an estimated 500 hectares in size.

<who>Photo Credit: Kari Kallen

The growth was largely due to gusty and erratic winds that fanned the fire on Wednesday evening and overnight into Thursday.

“Fire behaviour increased yesterday and structures are considered threatened,” reads the latest update. “Structural protection units have been deployed to the area.”

<who>Photo Credit: Kari Kallen

There are currently 22 personnel, helictopers and air tankers on the scene today with additional resources expected to be onsite later on.

Their main focus will be suppression efforts to increase containment on the southern end of the fire, near Garnet Valley.

<who>Photo Credit: KelownaNow

Both the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) and Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen have issued evacuation orders as a result of this fire, which you can find out more on by clicking this link.

This fire was originally being called the Brent Road wildfire by locals before the BC Wildfire Service officially named it the Mount Eneas wildfire on Wednesday.



Send your comments, news tips, typos, letter to the editor, photos and videos to [email protected].



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