the Hedges Butte wildfire was discovered 12 kilometres southwest of Penticton on Sept. 3.

Image Credit: B.C. Wildfire Service

With cooler temperatures, fire activity today is expected to be minimal as crews tackle large blazes in the South Okanagan.

There’s still work to be done on the Skaha Creek and Hedges Butte wildfires, burning to the southwest of Penticton, and crews will be looking at evaluating the status of both fires in the coming days, said B.C. Wildfire Service information officer Roslyn Johnson.

Both fires are still classified as out of control but no significant growth was reported on each fire overnight, she said.

Crews are still directly attacking the eastern side of the Hedges Butte wildfire and heavy machinery is in the area building contingency guards, meaning guards that are constructed away from the fire’s perimeter that can be utilized if necessary, Johnson said. Helicopters may also provide support to ground crews today.

The fire is still 236 hectares in size and burning along Green Mountain Road. There are 51 personnel, 15 pieces of heavy equipment and eight helicopters helping the Okanagan complex, which includes South Okanagan and Central Okanagan wildfires.

There were elevated winds yesterday on the Skaha Creek fire but no growth was reported either, Johnson said. The fire is still estimated at 236 ha in size.

Crews are trying to establish a hose lay and water delivery systems around the entire fire, and they’re mostly working on the northern side at this time, she said.

Crews still have support from firefighters from Mexico which will helping to fight Okanagan wildfires until Sept. 8, she said.

There are 52 Personnel, with an additional 13 arriving this afternoon and six pieces of heavy on site today of the Skaha Creek wildfire.

Cooler weather has helped fire suppression efforts and has given crews the opportunity to make good progress on the fires, she said.

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