The Testalinden Creek fire is seen in this aerial photo on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2015.
Image Credit: B.C. Wildfire
September 08, 2015 - 11:30 AM
OLIVER - Expect to see an increase in smoke if you are in the South Okanagan because B.C. Wildfire is planning a controlled burn to help control growth of the Testalinden Creek fire.
B.C. Wildfire plans a low intensity controlled burn for Wednesday, Sept. 9, if conditions permit. The burn will result in increased smoke and fire activity in the Oliver area.
The controlled burn will help remove fuel from the path of the fire and reduce the likelihood of the fire breaching control lines will be limited.
The Testalinden Creek fire, currently the only wildfire of note in the Kamloops Fire Centre, is about 4,500 hectares in size and 80 per cent contained. More than 150 firefighters remain on scene and are aided by about 60 other staff and support members, six helicopters and 13 pieces of heavy equipment. An evacuation alert remains in place for the Fairview Road area and west of Oliver.
There are about 10 other active fires in the fire centre as of Tuesday morning. So far this season more than 450 fires have been discovered and more than 10,500 ha burned in the fire centre. Nearly 300,000 ha have burned throughout B.C.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015