A air tanker drops fire retardant on the Christie Mountain wildfire along Skaha Lake in Penticton, B.C. Thursday, August 20, 2020. Wildfires in the area have forced several thousand people to be on evacuation alert. Wind gusts fanned the flames of a wildfire near a village at the southern end of Columbia Lake in British Columbia late on Saturday increasing the size of the blaze by about four square kilometres. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Republished August 31, 2020 - 9:41 AM
Original Publication Date August 30, 2020 - 12:51 PM
CANAL FLATS, B.C. - Wind gusts fanned the flames of a wildfire near a village at the southern end of Columbia Lake in British Columbia late Saturday, increasing the size of the blaze by about four square kilometres.
The BC Wildfire Service says winds increased the size of the Doctor Creek fire to about 58 square kilometres, and the blaze is moving uphill in the west.
They say a specialized rappel crew is establishing helipads to access an area of the fire that is on steep and rocky terrain.
The service says a team of personnel, supported by aviation and heavy machines, is establishing sprinklers and helping to create a natural fuel break to prevent the fire from spreading further.
Environment Canada forecasts a few showers beginning after midnight, with Monday bringing a mix of sun, clouds and a spot of rain.
The Regional District of East Kootenay has issued an evacuation order for 10 properties in the Findlay Creek area.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2020.
Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version placed the fire near Penticton, B.C.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2020