The Brenda Creek wildfire, July 14, 2021.
Image Credit: B.C. Wildfire Service
July 19, 2021 - 5:11 PM
Activity around the Brenda Creek fire has started to pick up again today, prompting BC Wildfire to beef up its protection of a key resource in its path.
“Friday and Saturday we had calm behaviour. We got in there and did good work and had good collaboration (with other firefighting resources, including BC Hydro),” Mike Mcculley, a BC Wildfire information officer who is working in the Okanagan complex, said.
“That continued through to Sunday. Today (July 19) we are seeing some increased fire behaviour and our crews are working around the power line to protect the structure and working closely with fire departments to protect the line.”
He said they aren’t facing an imminent threat but with the fire burning more aggressively near a resource that supplies power to 65,000 people from West Kelowna to Peachland, they’re ramping up their efforts and diverting some of the resources in the Okanagan complex to that fire.
That means bringing in a sprinkler system to protect the line and increasing the number of crew members on the ground working the fire to 40 and he said those in the area may see more helicopter and air tanker activity.
“Any time in you’re working in steep ground you can see daily changes in the winds and they are somewhat hard to predict,” he said. “We are learning through the day and we changed tactics to the protect power line and other resources… We are not aware of any threat now, but we are in a dry and volatile system."
Interior Health earlier today sent out a missive saying they were preparing for the worst and warned private residents to do the same.
“Throughout Interior Health, additional power sources and generators are being delivered to health facilities to ensure continuity of care in the event power is interrupted due to wildfire activity,” reads the press release.
“Due to the Brenda Creek wildfire, residents of Peachland, Summerland, West Kelowna, Westside Road, Westbank First Nation and portions of the Central Okanagan West electoral area should consider steps they need to remain safe in the event of any extended power outage due to wildfire."
Establishing a power loss emergency plan is key to protecting yourself and loved ones. Creating a plan in advance, considering potential relocation options, and reviewing resources prior to power loss is crucial.”
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has issued an Evacuation Order for 43 properties in Electoral Area "H." An Evacuation Alert has also been issued for Eneas Lakes, Pennask Lake, Trepanier, and Pennask Creek provincial parks. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has issued an Evacuation Alert for three properties located in Electoral Area "M." The Regional District of Central Okanagan has issued an Evacuation Alert for properties, three recreational camping areas and Crown land within West Electoral Area, south of Highway 97C and northwest of Peachland.
The Brenda Creek fire, which is 40 kilometres from West Kelowna and south of the Okanagan Connector, is currently mapped at 450 hectares and is classified as out of control.
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