Image Credit: Global Okanagan/Nathan Heiberg
April 13, 2014 - 10:52 AM
OSOYOOS – Forest fire crews are expecting the blaze burning near Inkaneep on Osoyoos Indian Band land north of the town of Osoyoos to intensify Sunday.
The fire grew from 20 to 80-hectares overnight.
The wind was calm in the morning and the fire activity was minimal giving the 25 wildlife management branch firefighters a chance to work on the southwest side of the blaze where it threatens power lines.
Fire information officer Kayla Pepper says they are letting the fire burn on the east side.
“It is beneficial for the landscape and it’s alright for the fire to climb up the slope because there are no values that would be threatened in that area.”
Pepper says two helicopters are conducting bucketing operations in an effort to keep the power lines in the area cool and fire crews safe.
The fire has now reached a prescribed burn started by a member of the Osoyoos Indian Band. The burn was responsible for smoke in the area earlier in the week.
“If it stays dry and hot and we get some wind people can expect smoke throughout the Oliver and Osoyoos area,” Pepper says.
The blaze started Friday afternoon. Investigators suspect it was person caused.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014