A media conference has been scheduled for the Christie Mountain wildfire for noon today.
(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)
August 22, 2020 - 9:21 AM
The Christie Mountain Wildfire remained at 2,000 hectares overnight, despite fears that wind would push it far beyond its current boundaries.
The BC Wildfire Service offered on an update Saturday, Aug. 22, morning saying that approximately one millimetre of rainfall yesterday and there was only an estimated 35 hectares of growth.
"The winds from the south pushing north yesterday did not significantly increase the fire," according to the update. "The fire is burning in difficult rocky sloped terrain with limited access points for ground crews and heavy equipment."
The size that has been reported has always been an estimate, BC Wildfire said, since it has been difficult to track this fire from the ground due to terrain.
There has been minimal fire activity over the last 24 hours, and as a result the estimated growth is approximately 35 hectares.
Wildfire staff are working to get a more accurate track this morning and an official size will be updated at that point.
The cause of the fire remains unknown and today, 200 firefighters will work on-site in conjunction with structure protection personnel and multiple fire departments. They will continue to build upon their progress on the southwest flank of the fire, strengthening control lines for values protection with support from 16 helicopters and six water tenders.
Crews will continue to reinforce control lines at Skaha Bluff Provincial Park and looked for small burnout opportunities. They made great progress on the southwest flank of the fire building and strengthening control lines for values protection. BC Wildfire Service will continue to closely monitor trigger points throughout the day.
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen and the City of Penticton will host a joint news conference today at 12 p.m. to provide an update on the Christie Mountain Wildfire.
Representatives from the BC Wildfire Service, the RDOS and the City of Penticton will be in attendance to provide updates and answer questions.
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