(UPDATE: Sept. 19 @ 6 pm) - The Glen Lake wildfire has expanded southward, impacting the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and BC Parks, but Central Okanagan Emergency Operations (CORD) does not anticipate any additional evacuation orders or alerts to be issued tonight.
Helicopters bucketed the northeast side of the fire and structural protection units were deployed in Peachland neighbourhoods today.
“Cooler temperatures, less wind and higher relative humidity aided in the fire fight,” CORD added.
The blaze remains an estimated 763 hectares in size and is burning approximately six kilometres from the District of Peachland.
An evacuation order remains in effect for six recreational properties on Glen Lake Forest Service Road, including 5503 Glen Lake Forest Service Road, and two recreational properties at the 15/16 km mark of Glen Lake Forest Service Road.
All areas within the Regional District of Central Okanagan south of the Brenda Mine site, southwest of Highway 97C (Okanagan Connector) and west of Highway 97 remain on evacuation alert.
The alert does not include Peachland Beach Avenue neighbourhoods or the downtown area.
(UPDATE: Sept. 19 @ 10:20 am) - After a difficult Sunday and Monday, the weather around the Glen Lake wildfire west of Peachland has certainly turned in the firefighters' favour.
There will be some localized gusty winds in the fire area today, but they will be easier to manage with below seasonal temperatures between 10-13°C and relative humidity between 35-45% this afternoon.
There will be more cool temperatures and higher humidity Wednesday, along with a "decent chance at 5 millimetres of rain," the BC Wildfire Service says.
Heavy equipment continues to build a guard on the west end of the fire today and the BCWS says structural protection operations were completed Monday.
The one bird aircraft and two tankers that assisted on the fire Monday are available again today if needed, and the BCWS notes that bucketing will continue throughout the day.
While the fire exhibited rank four behaviour on Monday, that's anticipated to reduce to rank two or three today with the better conditions, which means a low- to moderate-vigour surface fire.
The forecast may be improving, but nearly all of Peachland and chunks of RDOS territory in Summerland and surrounding areas remain under evacuation alerts.
You can learn more about RDCO evacuation alerts and orders here, and the RDOS alerts here.
The fire remains at an estimated 763 hectares as it burns around six kilometres west of Peachland.
(Original story: Sept. 19 @ 6:40 am) - After a windy afternoon Monday, the conditions became calm in the evening and overnight around the Glen Lake wildfire.
That, combined with cooler overnight temperatures, helped firefighting efforts against the fire that was most recently estimated at 763 hectares shortly before 8 pm Monday.
The positive weather trend should continue today, as the BC Wildfire Service is expecting below-seasonal temperatures, higher relative humidity and more cloud coverage.
While things appear to be heading in a better direction, there were still a number of high profile evacuation alerts issued on Monday.
In the early evening, nearly all of Peachland was put on alert, with the only exception being properties in the Beach Avenue neighbourhoods and downtown area, on the Okanagan Lake side of Hwy 97.
A short time later, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen issued an evacuation alert for several hundred properties in Summerland and surrounding areas.
“The evacuation alert zone includes Faulder, Meadow Valley, Garnet Valley (within the District of Summerland) and the west side of Hwy 97 north of the District of Summerland,” the RDOS explained.
You can click this link to view a detailed list of addresses included in the evacuation alert issued by the RDOS, along with a map. Click here to view the most up to date Regional District of Central Okanagan evacuation alerts and orders.
The BC Wildfire Service continues to lead the response on the Glen Lake wildfire, with support from Peachland Fire and Rescue.
On Monday, one bird aircraft and two tankers were supporting ground crews in the area, with the tankers dropping retardant over the fire.
Helicopters were bucketing throughout the day and heavy equipment was establishing a guard at the west end of the fire.
