UPDATE: South Okanagan fire still growing
UPDATE: 5:00 p.m. Aug. 1
The Keremeos Creek wildfire has grown to 2,264 hectares.
The BC Wildfire Service says ground crews and aerial resources have been actioning the fire since it’s discovery on Friday, July 29.
The fire is burning 21 kilometres southwest of Penticton, with the cause unknown.
Apex Mountain Village, which his east of the fire, was ordered evacuated Sunday.
A number of other evacuation orders and alerts continue along Green Mountain Road and Highway 3A.
The Keremeos Creek Fire (K50863) is currently 2,264 hectares in size. The photo below shows the current perimeter.
We are working with @RDOSinfo, @PibEoc , Lower Similkameen Indian Band and Okanagan Nation Alliance to provide information to keep residents safe. pic.twitter.com/Bch6ldU4C1
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 1, 2022
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The BC Wildfire Service says a fire burning about 21 kilometres southwest of Penticton was listed as 437 hectares as of Sunday evening (July 31).
The service said minimal growth was observed on the fire overnight July 30.
An evacuation order has been issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen for communities in the vicinity of the Keremeos Creek wildfire, which was discovered Friday.
The order covers Green Mountain Road between Highway 3A to the south, Apex Mountain Road to the north and in the general vicinity of Ford Lake.
The cause of the blaze has not been determined, and earlier it had been showing “aggressive” and “erratic” behaviour.
The service says the fire is burning in an area that is inoperable for air tanker and heavy machinery support. It says there are 45 Wildfire Service personnel, including structure protection personnel, deployed to the fire.