UPDATE: Concern mounts over Gottfriedsen Mountain fire near West Kelowna | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kelowna News

UPDATE: Concern mounts over Gottfriedsen Mountain fire near West Kelowna

The Gottfriedsen Mountain wildfire is pictured in this image submitted by the B.C. Wildfire Service, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/B.C. Wildfire Service
Original Publication Date August 10, 2018 - 9:12 AM

WEST KELOWNA - The Gottfriedsen Mountain fire has grown to more than 550 hectares and has been upgraded in status to a wildfire of note by B.C. Wildfire

B.C. Wildfire said yesterday afternoon, Aug. 9, the fire was burning approximately 24 kilometres west of West Kelowna and eight kilometres north of Highway 97C. This afternoon, their website describes the fire as "exhibiting high and extreme fire behaviour."

Because of smoke, B.C. Wildfire says it cannot track the perimeter of the fire and will try to provide a more accurate estimate of its size once it clears.

Although it is not considered an interface fire, an evacuation alert has been issued for Electoral Area M by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

Because of its remote location, the regional district is using locations as reference points. It includes all properties and camping areas east of Pennask Lake, south of Mellin Lake, south-west of Barton Lake and north-west of Eileen Lake.

Environment Canada says heat warnings in many parts of B.C. should be lifted as a cold front arrives, but that front will carry gusty winds that could kick up the flames.

The B.C. Wildfire Service lists 31 fires of note among the nearly 500 wildfires burning, but several blazes that have not yet been added to the list have already prompted evacuation orders or alerts.

More information about the fire and evacuation is available at the regional district website.

— With files from The Canadian Press

— This story was updated at 1:33 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10, 2018 with new information from B.C. Wildfire about the size and status of the fire.


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