UPDATE Christie Mountain wildfire: minimal growth, progress being made

Aug 21, 2020 | 4:09 PM Pete McIntyre

UPDATE 4:00 p.m. Aug. 23

The B.C. Wildfire Service says a fire burning south of Penticton has seen “minimal” growth over the weekend, but it’s starting to spread southeast.

The update comes after fire officials expressed confidence earlier on Saturday the Christie Mountain fire posed less of a threat to the city of Penticton.

Officials said forecasted strong winds the night before failed to fuel the wildfire’s growth.

More than 3,700 properties in Penticton remain on an evacuation alert, with the city’s mayor urging residents to have their bags packed just in case.

The region also remains under an Environment Canada special weather statement warning of smoky skies caused by the fire.

Meanwhile in B.C.’s Slocan Valley, 305 homes have been issued an evacuation alert over growing concerns about the spread of the nearby Talbot Creek wildfire 30 km’s north of Castlegar.

(The Canadian Press)

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UPDATE 10 a.m. Aug. 23

The BC Wildfire Service posted the following update on the Christie Mountain Fire southeast of Penticton:

“The atmosphere was stable on site of the fire yesterday (Saturday). Fire behaviour was minimal for most of the day yesterday, but started to increase on the southeast flank. The fire is burning in difficult rocky and sloped terrain with limited access points for ground crews and heavy equipment.

Today 170 firefighters will work on site in conjunction with structure protection personnel and multiple fire departments. They will continue to build upon the ongoing progress on the southwest flank of the fire strengthening control lines for values protection. They will be supported by 16 helicopters and four water tenders. Crews continue to work on access points and contingency lines on the north and east flanks with eight pieces of machinery in the heavy equipment group.

The aviation fleet has been doing an excellent job at holding the fire and buying us time to follow up with crews.

Crews continue to reinforce control lines at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park and are looking for potential areas for small burn out opportunities. They continue to make great progress on the southwest flank of the fire building and strengthening control lines for values protection.

BC Wildfire Service continues to closely monitor trigger points each day.”

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UPDATE 7:30 a.m. Sun Aug. 23

The BC Wildfire Service is reporting minimal fire behaviour on the Christie Mountain wildfire south of Penticton.

The fire size is estimated at 2,035 hectares with another update expected later today.

The minimal fire behaviour has limited growth the last few days.

An evacuation order covering 319 homes in Heritage Hills remains in effect with another 3,700 homes still on evacuation alert.

“The #BCWildfire Service would like to thank the residents of #Penticton and surrounding communities for their continued support in our response efforts, and in their diligence in adhering to evacuation alerts, orders and area restrictions,” stated a tweet from the BCWS.

Elsewhere in B.C., the Talbot Creek 30 km’s north of Castlegar is currently producing significant smoke and is a fire of note. Smoke and aviation activity may be visible from the Slocan Valley and surrounding communities.

The Wildfire Service continues to respond to the Doctor Creek wildfire located 25 km SW of CanalFlats. This fire has been displaying aggressive fire behaviour due to dry fuels and grew significantly. It is now mapped at approx. 3,000 ha.

 

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UPDATE 9 a.m. Saturday Aug. 22

The B.C. Wildfire Service reports minimal fire activity over the last 24 hours on the Christie Mountain fire southeast of Penticton.

On Saturday morning, the service estimated growth on the fire of approximately 35 hectares.

“We are working to get a more accurate track this morning and an official size will be updated at that point,” stated information officer Nicole Bonnett on the service’s website.

Today, 200 firefighters will work on site in conjunction with structure protection personnel and multiple fire departments. They will continue to build upon their progress on the southwest flank of the fire, strengthening control lines for values protection with support from 16 helicopters and six water tenders.

“Crews will continue to reinforce control lines at Skaha Bluff Provincial Park and looked for small burnout opportunities. They made great progress on the southwest flank of the fire building and strengthening control lines for values protection. BC Wildfire Service will continue to closely monitor trigger points throughout the day,” said Bonnett.

Christie Mountain fire as of Aug. 21 (BC Wildfire Service photo)

Forty firefighters worked on site overnight with support from multiple fire departments and structure protection personnel.

An increased amount of structural protection teams will remain stationed throughout the community to perform assessments and proactively triage infrastructure. This action is a precautionary measure to mitigate risk to homes in the area ahead of an approaching weather system that may cause challenging fire behaviour.

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UPDATE 9 p.m. Aug. 21

The Christie Mountain wildfire received about 1 mm of rainfall today, said the BC Wildfire Service.

The winds from the south pushing north have not significantly increased the fire. Heavy winds have been leaning on the fire all afternoon but have now dissipated.

Forty firefighters will work on site overnight in conjunction with structure protection personnel and multiple fire departments. They will continue to build upon their progress on the southwest flank of the fire, strengthening control lines for values protection.

An additional 60 firefighters and one helicopter will be arriving Saturday to support suppression efforts.

The fire size is still estimated at 2,000 hectares.

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4:00 p.m. Aug. 21

There’s been strong winds at the Christie Mountain fire site south of Penticton this afternoon which has lead to an increase in fire behaviour.

Ground crews and helicopters are working to suppress any flare-ups that occur on the fire site still estimated at 2,000 hectares as of 3:30 p.m. Friday (Aug. 21).

The fire continues to burn in difficult rocky sloped terrain with limited access points for ground crews and heavy equipment.

Even more manpower and equipment was brought on today.

The Wildfire Service says 132 firefighters and 15 helicopters have been on the site, adding more control lines.

“They are working in conjunction with structure protection personnel and multiple fire departments,”stated the service’s website.

Winds from the south, with gusts up to 70 km-h, are the major concern today, and could push the fire back towards Penticton and homes.

“Crews will establish control lines at Skaha Bluff Provincial Park and look for small burnout opportunities. Crews made great progress on the southwest flank of the fire building and strengthening control lines for values protection,” said the website.

The service added an increased amount of structural protection teams will be stationed throughout the community to perform assessments and proactively triage infrastructure.

“This action is a precautionary measure to mitigate risk to homes in the area ahead of an approaching weather system that may cause challenging fire behaviour.”

Over 300 homes remain evacuated, with another 3,700 homes on evacuation alert.

One home in the Heritage Hills neighbourhood has been destroyed by the fire.

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