(UPDATE: Sept. 5 @ 4:50 pm) – The Penticton Indian Band (PIB) has rescinded an evacuation alert issued in response to the Skaha Creek wildfire.
No properties within the PIB's jurisdiction remain on evacuation alert, effective at 3:15 pm today.
— PIB EOC (@PibEoc) September 5, 2021
(UPDATE: Sept. 5 @ 1:35 pm) – The Skaha Creek wildfire has now been classified as held.
The fire burned an estimated 236 hectares.
There are 52 personnel and six pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the fire today.
An incident management team and eight helicopters are available for support from the Okanagan Complex.
This wildfire is burning near the Hedges Butte wildfire and both are experiencing cooler temperatures with light winds.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) confirms that the fire continues to hold above the fire guards, however, smoke continues to be visible.
Crews will continue to deliver water to the fire’s perimeter to extinguish any hotspots while working towards full containment on the fire.
The evacuation alert issued by the Penticton Indian Band on Monday, Aug. 30 remains in effect at this time.
(UPDATE: Sept. 4 @ 1 pm) – The Skaha Creek wildfire has grown to an estimated 236 hectares.
Despite the 16 hectare growth, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) explains that “the fire continues to be holding above the guards.”
There are 53 personnel, with 13 more arriving this afternoon, and 11 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the fire today.
Crews are supported by nine helicopters and an incident management team through the Okanagan Complex.
The evacuation alert issued by the Penticton Indian Band remains in effect.
BCWS confirms that “significant process” has been made and fire guards paired with planned ignitions have helped crews work towards containment.
Crews have completed guard construction and will continue to deliver water to the fire’s perimeter.
Due to the drought conditions of the area, an extensive water delivery system has been established to help crews with their suppression operations.
Aerial resources will continue to help ground crews as required.
(UPDATE: Sept. 2 @ 11:40 am) - Fire behaviour may see an increase today, with light winds and warmer weather smoke may become more visible in the area.
The Skaha Creek wildfire remains within the containment lines and there was minimal growth reported overnight as the fire is still an estimated 220 hectares.
A 15 hectare planned ignition took place on the southeast corner of the fire closest to Penticton yesterday, another planned ignition is set to take place this morning on the same corner.
At this time, no structure protection is necessary, but crews remain on site in the communities of the Penticton Indian Band.
13 additional crew members will be arriving on scene this afternoon, as of now there are 73 personnel on scene, assisted by 15 pieces of heavy equipment, six helicopters, and an incident management team.
Air tankers and skimmers will continue to support the incident as necessary but were not required as yesterday’s weather was favourable.
An evacuation alert issued by the Penticton Indian Band remains in place for Skaha Hills, Riva Ridge, Holiday Hill RV Resort, as well as the PIB Lower Village south of Shingle Creek.
(UPDATE: Sept. 1 @ 11:30 am) – BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has more accurately mapped the Skaha Creek wildfire at 220 hectares – eight hectares larger than previously recorded.
The Penticton Indian Band confirms that a small scale planned ignition is occurring today on the southeast corner.
“There is a small test burn being conducted above the retardant line in the southeast of the fire,” explains PIB emergency operations centre.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen notes that smoke will be highly visible during the operation.
BCWS affirms that “skimmers and air tankers will continue to support the incident as required.”
In the morning update, BCWS estimated the planned ignition would be approximately 19 hectares in size.
(UPDATE: Sept. 1 @ 10 am) – The Skaha Creek wildfire continues to be estimated at 212 hectares.
According to BC Wildfire Service’s (BCWS) morning update, cooler temperatures and higher humidity helped the overall suppression effort.
“Overnight fire behaviour was reduced significantly and there was very minimal growth. Crews were on site again last night monitoring the fire.”
The agency is forecasting cooler conditions today with light winds and some cloud cover.
There are 79 personnel working on site today with another 13 arriving this afternoon.
Crews are supported by 15 pieces of heavy equipment, nine helicopters through the Okanagan Complex and an incident management team.
A successful five hectare planned ignition took place yesterday on the northeastern flank which will bring the fire to the guard so crews can directly attack it.
The Penticton Indian Band’s natural resources personnel were involved with the planning of the ignition and surrounding fire guards.
Another 19 hectare planned ignition may occur today on the southeast corner if conditions allow.
A fire guard has been established around the eastern and northern sides and BCWS confirms that the fire is burning above retardant lines on the north side.
PIB EOC Update 14:40hr pic.twitter.com/4muBYs1Rhz
— PIB EOC (@PibEoc) August 31, 2021
Construction on a fire guard on the southwestern side continues today and a hand guard will be built where the heavy equipment cannot operate.
Crews attacked a small excursion on the southern side that crossed Skaha Creek, however, this is the only area where the fire crossed.
BCWS explains that structure protection personnel were on site yesterday in the Skaha Hills and Riva Ridge areas to assess and plan for potential equipment deployment.
“Additional FireSmart work will be carried out today, September 1st on properties in the vicinity of the fire, however the BC Wildfire service would like to remind the residents that FireSmart work begins at your own home.”
The evacuation alert issued by the Penticton Indian Band remains in effect.
(UPDATE: Aug. 31 @ 9:52 am) - The Skaha Creek wildfire remains at 212 hectares and is not threatening any buildings, BC Wildfire Service said this morning.
The fire – which was caused by human activity – remains out of control, however.
BCWS said the blaze, "although active," stayed high on the slop yesterday and therefore posed no risk to structures.
The agency said there has been "no significant growth" at the fire overnight.
Cool temperatures, increasing cloud and a chance of showers are expected to help crews contain the fire.
(See PentictonNow reporter Gord Goble's latest photo story here.)
BCWS added: "Crews are working on the east side of the fire, making progress both in the south and the north direction with guard construction. Steep and rocky terrain is presenting a challenge to the safety of crews working on the ground, however heavy equipment is being utilized where possible and hand-dug guard will be used where machines cannot safely operate.
"A small planned ignition may take place today, on the east side, to bring the fire safely to the guard where crews can action it. Increased smoke will be visible on the east side of the fire, closest to Penticton, if the planned ignition operation occurs.
"On the north side of the fire skimmers and air tankers established retardant lines and have helped cool the fire over the last couple of days. These aviation resources will continue to support the incident, if necessary, in the coming days. Yesterday, crews also worked to establish a hand guard in this area of the fire.
"On the west and north side of the fire heavy machinery will continue to work to build machine guards and on the south side of the fire helicopter bucketing is ongoing, near Skaha creek. Crews were working to contain a small area of the fire that crossed Skaha creek to the south, yesterday.
"Additional crews arrived yesterday and will be assisting in suppression activities today."
A Penticton Indian Band evacuation alert remains in place
There are 71 firefighters, 15 pieces of heavy equipment and eight helicopters at the fire.
(UPDATE: Aug. 30 @ 6:11 pm) - The Penticton Band Indian Council (PIB) has issued an evacuation alert for approximately 240 properties in Skaha Hills, Riva Ridge, Holiday Hills RV Resort, as well as in the PIB Lower Village south of Shingle Creek.
As the evac. alert had come into place, the City of Penticton activated its Emergency Operations Centre to prepare to support the response to the Skaha Creek Wildfire.
“We’re taking steps to prepare and plan in the event there is a change in the behaviour of the Skaha Creek Wildfire and to be ready to support the Penticton Indian Band as needed,” said Emergency Operations Centre Director, Donny Van Dyk.
PIB EOC Update August 30, 2021 17:30hr pic.twitter.com/e5A0dEiFXi
— PIB EOC (@PibEoc) August 31, 2021
The wildfire burning approximately 6 km southwest of Penticton, remains at an estimated 212 hectares.
There are no evacuation alerts or orders being considered for the City of Penticton at this time.
This afternoon, one of the fireboss air tankers made a precautionary landing on Skaha Lake. It has since been beached so that engineers can investigate the issue.
BCWS reminds residents "To please stay clear of this aircraft and all aircraft picking up water out of nearby lakes so they may continue to operate safely."
(UPDATE: Aug.30 @ 1:55 pm): The Skaha Creek wildfire which is highly visible from Penticton and Hwy 97, has grown to an estimated 212 hectares.
Crews are working on the east flank of the wildfire with direct attack operations to contain spot fires across Skaha Creek Road, and heavy equipment is working to build an indirect line on the west and north flanks. Skimmers and air tankers continue to support the incident.
EOC Update: The RDOS is monitoring the Skaha Creek wildfire along with @BCGovFireInfo @PibEoc @cityofpenticton https://t.co/MwoAJV57zN
— RDOS EOC (@EmergMgtRDOS) August 30, 2021
The retardant is being dropped on the #Penticton side of the #SkahaCreek wildfire today. So much respect and gratitude #BCWildfire pic.twitter.com/JUWI6gSZyK
— Janine J Breathet (@JJBreathes) August 30, 2021
The fire continues to be a low to moderately vigorous surface fire with visible open flame, but there are no structures threatened at this time.
There are currently 53 Personnel (with an additional 13 arriving this afternoon), eight pieces of heavy equipment, and four helicopters assigned to the fire. On top of the Incident Management Team in charge of the Okanagan Complex.
According to BCWS the wildfire is suspected to be human caused.
(UPDATE: Aug. 30 @ 5:32 am): The Skaha Creek wildfire southwest of Penticton grew to 100 hectares last night, the BC Wildfire Service said.
The agency said the fire's activity was "expected to reduce over the course of the night" in its most recent update last night.
A morning update has not yet been published.
Read PentictonNow reporter Gord Goble's stories on the fire here and here.
Earlier on Sunday, BCWS said "multiple" skimmers and air tankers were "continually" attacking the fire alongside ground crews.
The agency promised that crews would remain at the blaze overnight to monitor its activity.
Today, the fire's management will be taken over by the Okanagan Complex team, which is also managing the Thomas Creek, Nk'Mip Creek and Mt Law wildfires.
Thirteen Mexican firefighters will be transferred from the Thomas Creek blaze today to work on the Skaha Creek wildfire, BCWS explained.
"Responding aircraft, smoke and open flame will remain visible to Penticton, surrounding communities and travellers on Highway 97," the agency explained.
"A reminder to please stay clear of all aircraft picking up water out of nearby lakes so they may continue to operate safely."
(Original story: Aug. 29 @ 2 pm): The Skaha Creek wildfire, which broke out late yesterday afternoon, is located approximately six kilometres southwest of Penticton.
BC Wildfire Service is estimating the fire to be 17 hectares in size.
There are currently 20 ground personnel on site with the support of one piece of heavy equipment.
Today, the fire is exhibiting rank two behaviour – which means there are visible flames.
Smoke may be visible from above the Penticton airport and Hwy 97 throughout the day.
The City of Penticton announced that the fire may affect services at the airport.
“Anyone flying in or out of the Penticton Regional Airport over the next few days is advised to check yyf.penticton.ca for current flight information,” read the statement.
The City of Penticton confirmed that the Penticton Indian Band and Westhills Aggregates have been supporting the response and keeping roads safe for crews and the public.
Although the fire is not a threat to properties, recreational boaters are reminded to give BCWS crews the space they need to access the lake safely.
BCWS explains that “crews have made good progress cooling the fire and dropping retardant along its flanks.”
