PENTICTON – More than one hundred fire fighters are dealing with wildfires in the south Okanagan. Crews have been working non-stop since last weekend’s lightning storm, which sparked fifteen fires from Oliver down to the U.S. border.
“Those fires range from spot size up to a 20 hectare fire,” says Randy Burgess, a Fire Protection Officer with the Penticton Fire Zone.
Burgess says the majority of the wildfires are now contained and in mop up but crews are still fighting the larger blazes.
Monday’s rainfall helped crews get the upper hand, but only enough to provide short-term relief.
“We get a little reprieve here and then after that the forecast is for sun in the mid 30’s so we will be right back to it,” says Burgess.
Some of the fire crews are tackling were sparked by human carelessness. Sunday, in downtown Penticton, a hedge went up in flames. Crews were able to knock it down before it spread to a nearby building. Fire Chief Wayne Williams says the fire was likely caused by a discarded cigarette. He cautions people to be mindful.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued Monday. Burgess says crews don’t need to be stretched any thinner tackling preventable fires.
“We ask people to be very careful, we don’t need any more human starts on top of what mother nature is throwing our way,” says Burgess.
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