Oliver wildfire spreading rapidly in challenging terrain
Credit to Author: Tiffany Crawford| Date: Wed, 07 Aug 2019 16:52:12 +0000
The Eagle Bluff wildfire burning in rugged terrain near Oliver has more than tripled in size since Monday, as residents in the area prepare to leave their homes.
The B.C. Wildfire Service said Wednesday that the fire located 10 kilometres south of Okanagan Falls, which was initially reported to be two square kilometres, has grown to nine square kilometres.
Fire officials say the new size is largely because of better mapping, but the fire did grow significantly overnight and is expected to spread, said fire information officer Nicole Bennett.
“We do expect to see more growth today… It’s very hot and dry out there,” said Bonnett, on Wednesday morning.
Most of the blaze is spreading east and away from the community, however there are a couple of spots in the Gallagher Lake area where the fire has moved down slope, she said.
Bennett said firefighters will be performing small-scale burn operations in those two areas, and will remove combustible fuels, in an attempt to stop the fire from spreading to the homes.
“We’ve had calm winds over the last few days so we are hoping for those conditions to continue,” she said.
Fire officials say the blaze is highly visible from Highway 97 and so they are asking drivers to slow down and keep their eyes on the road.
A total of 80 personnel are on site, with crews operating around the clock to battle the blaze while supported by eight helicopters and airtankers.
The B.C. Wildfire Services attributes the growth to the extreme conditions on site and the steep, rocky terrain, which makes it unsafe for crews.
More than 200 properties, including residential homes, RV parks, mobile home parks and recreational campsites, remain under an evacuation alert.
The B.C. Wildfire Service says the Eagle Bluff fire, north of Oliver, has grown to nine square kilometres.
Areas under the alert can be found on the website of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, the Air Quality Health Index for the South Okanagan was at level two, or low health risk, but was forecast to increase to four, or moderate health risk.
The cause of the Eagle Bluff fire is still under investigation.
ticrawford@postmedia.com
-with files from Scott Brown and Stephanie Ip, and The Canadian Press