The Skaha Lake wildfire to the southwest of Penticton.
Image Credit: Dan Walton
August 29, 2021 - 9:16 AM
The City of Penticton is warning residents that a wildfire burning close to the city may impact flights at its airport.
"Although the Skaha Creek Wildfire is not a threat to properties within the boundaries of the City of Penticton, the response may affect services at the Penticton Regional Airport as well as recreational boating on Skaha and Okanagan Lakes," according to a press release issued by the city.
The city is asking those flying in or out of Penticton Regional Airport to check the airport's website for an update on flight conditions.
Firefighters were assisted by cooler temperatures last night on a 17-hectare wildfire burning southwest of Penticton but fire activity is expected to pick up as temperatures increase.
The Skaha Creek wildfire, roughly six kilometres southwest of the city, quickly grew yesterday after it sparked in the afternoon, Aug. 28.
The fire remains at 17 ha with cooler temperatures and relative humidity helped firefighters, said B.C. Wildfire Service information officer Taylor MacDonald.
“Conditions are still pretty dry even though we’ve seen some cooler temperatures over the last bit and a little bit of precipitation here and there but just a reminder to everybody that we’re still in August here and it’s still pretty dry outside,” MacDonald said.
There are 20 personnel on site today with two helicopters and more are available to assist throughout the day as warmer weather arrives.
The wildfire is not threatening structures at this time, she said.
The wildfire is suspected to be human caused and still classified as out of control.
- This story was updated at 12:42 p.m. to provide information about Penticton's airport.
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