FILE PHOTO - The Canadian Armed Forces are arriving this weekend to help with operations on the White Rock Lake wildfire.
Image Credit: Canadian Armed Forces
August 28, 2021 - 8:32 AM
Throughout the weekend, roughly 120 Canadian Armed Forces personnel are arriving to help firefighters battle a large wildfire burning in the North and Central Okanagan.
The White Rock Lake wildfire, burning to the west of Vernon, is 81,362 hectares in size and classified as out of control, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service’s latest update this morning, Aug. 28.
“Crews continue to see positive progress along all flanks of the fire. Infrared drone scans will continue to be carried out along the west, east and northern flanks to help personnel target remaining hot spots along these flanks,” according to the service.
Due to the “expansive” size of the fire, it continues to require a substantial workforce to patrol areas and perform mop up tasks throughout the entire fire’s perimeter.
Today, 60 Canadian Armed Forces will arrive on site and an additional 60 people will arrive tomorrow to assist with the service’s patrol efforts along the west and north flanks of the fire.
Yesterday, five millimetres of rain fell in the Fintry area and on other parts of the fire, meaning conditions are still not favourable for a 3,000 ha planned ignition. The ignition would take place along the fire’s northeast flank in order to burn away forest fuels, located to the west of Okanagan Lake in the Six Mile Creek area.
A wildfire firefighter was injured earlier this week while performing mop up tasks on the fire. They have since returned to camp and no substantial injuries were sustained.
READ MORE: Firefighter injured while battling White Rock Lake wildfire returns to camp
Evacuation orders and alerts remain in effect. For more information on orders and alerts follow these links:
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