The Becker Lake wildfire near Vernon, July 10, 2021.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK/Elizabeth Eckert
July 13, 2021 - 9:52 AM
A large wildfire threatening homes near Vernon is now considered to be held, which means firefighters don’t expect to see any growth on the fire.
The Becker Lake wildfire, located five kilometres east of Vernon, is currently classified as “being held,” at 35 hectares in size and the B.C. Wildfire Service did not see any growth from the fire yesterday, July 12, according to the service's website.
There are 53 personnel on site who are receiving assistance from a helicopter and a water tender this afternoon, said fire information officer Aydan Coray.
Coldstream resident Karen Lowry, who lives along Crestview Drive is calm now the immediate danger has passed.
"Right now it's really smoky... Saturday it was scary, I was out watering my tomatoes and nothing was there. My son came over for half an hour and I turned around and there it was but my husband figured it was a half mile away up the hill," she said.
"Watching the helicopters, their turnaround time was just under three minutes, like they were bombarding one after another. It's really amazing to watch these people working," she said.
The B.C. Wildfire Service is responding today with 53 personnel, one helicopter, multiple pieces of heavy equipment and one water tender and will be responding to any hotspots within the perimeter, said fire information officer Aydan Coray.
There has been no further issues with boaters and drones, she said. A drone threatened firefighting efforts July 10 and boaters on Kalamalka Lake also hampered efforts in the last few days.
READ MORE: Fire fight near Vernon hampered by boaters 'interfering with firefighting aircraft'
Evacuation alerts have been rescinded by the District of Coldstream and Regional District of North Okanagan for Electoral Area C. For more information of evacuation alerts, visit the regional district’s website.
— This story was updated at 4:30 p.m. July, 13, 2021 to include new information.
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