The Kamloops Fire Centre says BC Wildfire responded to a fire southwest of Kelowna this morning(July 16), near Trepanier Creek and the Okanagan Connector.
“It’s a small spot fire and we have 3 fire personnel responding to that,” explained Fire Information Officer, Marla Catherall. She says the Wildfire Service has responded to 133 fires within the Kamloops Fire Centre region since April 1st. 15 of those remain active and only one is classified as out of control. That out of control fire is the Trepanier Creek fire from this morning, but Catherall didn’t express much concern, due to the small size of the fire, and current firefighting efforts.
There are still 2 large fires burning in the Fire Centre but both are under control. “The Shuswap Road Fire. It’s being held but it still is active and that one is 545 (hectares in size). Allie lake, from earlier this year, is under control but that one’s the biggest one at 2500(hectares),” said Catherall.
Catherall says the current fire-danger rating in the Okanagan ranges from moderate to extreme. Kelowna and Osoyoos are currently classified as extreme.