Crews mop up ‘excursion’ on wildfire site

BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) crews are mopping up a small excursion at the Christie Mountain wildfire site south of Penticton.

“An excursion is a fire management term that means an unplanned but acceptable enlargement of the area which does not greatly affect any values and involves a minimum of suppression effort,” said an update on the BCWS website Sunday (Aug. 30)

The fire, which is 2,122 hectares in size, is still considered ‘Being Held.’

“This status indicates that (with the resources currently committed to the fire) sufficient suppression action has been taken that the fire is not likely to spread beyond existing or predetermined boundaries under the prevailing and forecasted conditions,” stated the update.

The BCWS said an increased number of people have been attempting to access the parks and trails in the vicinity of the Christie Mountain wildfire.

“A reminder to residents and visitors that there is still an area restriction in place. Please remain out of the area as the Christie Mountain wildfire is still an active wildfire. For a map of the area restriction go information bulletin. This restriction includes the Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park and surroundings. For more information about the park closure go to: BC Parks.”

The fire, which started Aug.18 from a suspected lightning cause, has 177 firefighters and 8 helicopters working on the site.

In the northern part of the fire, specialized rappel fire fighters have been building access to inaccessible areas and actioning them. Other crews are patrolling and demobbing the north-east corner and mopping up between helipads in the Matheson Creek area. Hot spots are also being actioned along Gillies Creek.

In the south, firefighters will continue to patrol the area around the Christie Mountain Lane, Apple Court to Matheson Drive areas. They are also seeking hotspots to the south of this area and building hand guard from Derenzy FSR through Derenzy Creek. Control lines are being built and secured between helipads, as well towards the north portion of the fire.

Crews will continue to use hand ignitions to burn out small pockets of fuel on the east flank of the fire.

“This is done to reduce fire behaviour and to bring the fire to more accessible ground for crews to solidify control of the fire. Residents will continue to see smoke in the vicinity of the fire as a result of this activity,” stated the website.