(UPDATE: Sept. 7 @ 3:15 pm) – The Hedges Butte wildfire is now classified as held after it burned an estimated 166 hectares.
BC Wildfire Service confirms that the fire has received “sufficient suppression action [and] the fire is not likely to spread beyond existing or predetermined boundaries.”
The fire was discovered on Friday, Sept. 3 around 12 kilometres southwest of Penticton along the Green Mountain Road.
There are 54 personnel, 21 pieces of heavy equipment and six helicopters available through the Okanagan Complex.
Crews have established a mix of hand and machine built fire guards which has supported the containment of the fire.
On Sept. 5, the Penticton Indian Band and Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen rescinded evacuation alerts for this fire.
(UPDATE: Sept. 6 @ 1 pm) – The Hedges Butte wildfire continues to burn out of control, however, the fire has been remapped to be approximately 166 hectares.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) explains that “the size may continue to change as additional mapping occurs.”
There are 53 personnel and 10 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the fire today.
Crews are supported by six helicopters and an incident management team.
BCWS forecasts a mainly sunny day with a high of 25ºC and light northern winds.
These warmer conditions could increase fire behaviour but BCWS notes that progress has been made on containing this fire and growth is not expected to grow.
Crews continue to engage in direct attack operations on the eastern flank of the fire.
Heavy equipment has completed a fire guard on the eastern and western flanks.
Evacuation alerts issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and Penticton Indian Band remain rescinded.
(UPDATE: Sept. 5 @ 5:15 pm) – The Hedges Butte wildfire, southwest of Penticton, was remapped today and the BC Wildfire Service estimates the fire at 189 hectares.
The Penticton Indian Band rescinded its evacuation alert issued due to this fire.
— PIB EOC (@PibEoc) September 5, 2021
At 3 pm this afternoon, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen also rescinded the evacuation alert that was issued for electoral area “I.”
The fire continues to burn out of control but crews continue to progress towards containment on this wildfire.
EOC Update: Evacuation Alert RESCINDED for Electoral Area I Sept. 5, 2021 3:00 pm https://t.co/qXqzZENO9x @BCGovFireInfo @PibEoc @cityofpenticton pic.twitter.com/JwiPurrtQc
— RDOS EOC (@EmergMgtRDOS) September 5, 2021
Crews will continue to focus their suppression activities on the eastern flank of the fire.
Helicopters will continue to support ground crews as required.
(UPDATE: Sept. 5 @ 12:15 pm) – BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) confirms that the Hedges Butte wildfire has not experienced any growth.
The fire is now estimated at 236 hectares and classified as out of control.
There are 51 personnel and 15 pieces of heavy equipment working on site today.
Crews are supported by an incident management team and the eight helicopters available through the Okanagan Complex.
BCWS forecasts a cloudy start to the day with clear skies this afternoon, moderate temperatures and light winds.
“Fire behaviour is expected to be minimal once again, today,” the agency explains.
“These conditions will help crews continue to make progress on the containment of the fire.”
You can read more in-depth coverage from PentictonNow reporter Gord Goble here.
Crews will be focusing their efforts on the eastern flank of the fire, the side closest to Highway 97 and Penticton.
Aerial resources continue to support ground crews by bucketing water to cool the fire.
Heavy equipment crews continue to construct fire guards.
The Green Mountain FSR is open with single lane alternating traffic, BCWS and Penticton Indian Band advise people who don’t live in the area to stay away so crews can work safely.
The evacuation alerts issued by the Penticton Indian Band and Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen remain in effect.
(UPDATE: Sept. 4 @ 11:30 am) – The Hedges Butte wildfire, located 12 kilometres southwest of Penticton, has grown to an estimated 230 hectares.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) explains that “the extreme drought condition of the forest coupled with increased winds resulted in rapid growth of the fire through the day.”
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen issued an evacuation alert for 47 properties in electoral area I, effective Sept. 3 at 5 pm.
The Penticton Indian Band also issued an evacuation alert, effective Sept. 3 at 5 pm, for almost 20 properties.
There are 73 personnel, 11 pieces of heavy equipment, nine helicopters and incident management available through the Okanagan Complex.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Late yesterday evening, BCWS responded with 30 personnel and had the assistance of six helicopters.
Air tankers worked to lay down retardant lines and skimmers dropped water from Skaha and Okanagan Lakes.
Ground personnel remained on-site overnight to monitor the fire’s movement.
Today, BCWS explains that crews will be building fire guards off the Green Mountain Road and planning for a contingency guard.
Heavy equipment will be building guard as well and helicopters will assist crews as required.
(Original Story: Sept. 3 @ 2:50 pm) –A new wildfire that sparked earlier today in the South Okanagan has quickly grown to 50 hectares.
The Hedges Butte wildfire is located between Apex Mountain and Penticton, 12 kilometres south of the city.
The BC Wildfire Service has 16 personnel responding, with more en route, and the local fire department is providing assistance as well.
Six helicopters and multiple air tankers are providing support from above.
“There were a lot of resources close by at that Skaha Creek fire, so they were able to quickly assess the situation and move things as necessary,” said Aydan Coray, BCWS fire information officer.
“It does definitely help that we have a lot more fires being held and under control these days.”
At this time, the fire is not threatening any structures, although the smoke is highly visible to the surrounding area.
NowMedia will update this story as it develops.
