New wildfire burning near Highway 1, southwest of Hope
Posted September 9, 2022 12:42 pm.
Last Updated September 9, 2022 1:48 pm.
A wildfire growing since Thursday close to Hope is considered out of control and has now grown to 30 hectares, the BC Wildfire Service says.
It notes the Flood Falls Trail wildfire, located southwest of Hope, is burning on an “extremely steep slope.”
#BCWildfire Service and @HopeFireDept are responding to the Flood Falls Trail wildfire (V12335) located SW of #HopeBC. The fire is estimated to be 30 hectares in size and is classified as Out of Control. It is burning on an extremely steep slope at rank three, … pic.twitter.com/RTvEHMGPWN
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) September 9, 2022
“A ground crew, response officers and five helicopters are currently on scene with additional crews on their way. No structures or infrastructure are threatened at this time,” said a BC Wildfire Service statement.
“This fire is highly visible from the community of Hope and [Highway] 1, but is not impeding traffic on [Highway] 1 at this time.”
Photo credit: BC Wildfire Service
A tweet from the Hope Fire Department asks for people to stay away from the area as the blaze continues.
As of now, the BC Wildfire Service says the suspected cause of the fire is human-related.
Hope Fire on scene again this morning with @BCGovFireInfo working a fire near Flood in Hope. No threats to properties at this time. Please avoid the area and allow crews to work.
— Tom DeSorcy (@TommyDChief) September 9, 2022
Meanwhile, a small wildfire between Peachland and West Kelowna has the attention of the Central Okanagan Regional District.
It has issued a precautionary evacuation alert for more than a dozen properties. It says areas covered by the alert are 4305 to 4495 Maxwell Road.
The Jack Creek wildfire, sparked by lightning, is still considered small and is now seven-and-a-half hectares. But people are being told they may have to leave the rural area as soon as possible.
“Residents in the area are advised to be ready to leave their home at a moment’s notice. They should be prepared to be away from their home for an extended period of time, make arrangements for pets and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents,” reads a Central Okanagan Emergency Operations statement.
Related links:
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Wildfire between Peachland, West Kelowna prompts evacuation alert
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BC Wildfire crews still busy as end of season nears
As well, the Region District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) has issued an evacuation alert for the Birchdale and Fry Creek area due to the Fry Creek wildfire
On Friday, it expanded the alert to include more properties.
Photo credit: Region District of Central Kootenay
The BC Wildfire Service says there are several “wildfires of note” burning in the province, including the Battleship Mountain Wildfire, which has grown to over 13,000 hectares.
“The District of Hudson’s Hope has declared a State of Local Emergency and issued an Evacuation Order and an Evacuation Alert for the Municipality of Hudson’s Hope,” the agency says.
Photo credit: BC Wildfire Service
Farther south, the Heather Lake fire has forced an evacuation order in parts of Manning Park.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has also issued an evacuation alert for the community of Eastgate.
As well, BC Parks has released a map of areas of E.C. Manning Provincial Park that are under both evacuation alerts and evacuation orders.
Photo credit: BC Parks
The wildfire started in Washington state last month and has grown to over 7,000 hectares. Approximately 3,084 hectares are burning in Canada.
With files from Dean Recksiedler
