West Kelowna fire suspected of being human-caused, still a threat to homes

NEWS/ WILDLIFE — The Smith Creek wildfire near West Kelowna is suspected to be human-caused, says the Wildfire Management Branch.

Crews battled the 200-hectare fire overnight but it continues to pose a threat to nearby homes. Twenty-five hundred residents have been evacuated.

The fire was detected Thursday afternoon. Multiple airtankers and helicopters assisted crews on the ground, and more than 21 Wildfire Management Branch personnel remained on site working to establish containment of the fire.

The ground crews worked overnight in collaboration with the West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country and Kelowna Fire Departments.

At its peak Thursday afternoon, the wildfire was displaying highly aggressive fire behaviour, the wildfire branch said. Winds were expected to pose a challenge for ground crews last night and could cause a further increase in fire activity.

Additional resources will assist in responding this morning (Friday), including aircraft, more ground personnel and heavy machinery.

 

“This is a serious reminder of the risk of wildfire in the Kamloops Fire Centre region,” the wildfire branch said of suspicions the fire was human0caused, and therefore preventable.