Seeing smoke in the south Okanagan? Here’s why: B.C. wildfire crews are battling a 90 hectare blaze south of Keremeos, in the Snowy Protected Area. The Newby Lake fire has now crossed the Canadian border into the United States.
“The fire is currently burning in high elevation grassland and timber and is surrounded by natural barriers,” says Kayla Pepper, fire information officer the BC Wildfire Management Branch. “The B.C. Wildfire Service initially sent air tankers and an initial attack crew by helicopter, but unfortunately neither were able to action the fire due to fire behaviour, crew safety and the lack of achievable objectives.”
As of Friday morning, the fire is still burning out of control, with no containment.
Smoke can be seen from Highway 3 and in various communities in the south Okanagan.
READ MORE: Smoke from uncontrolled wildfire could be visible from the Okanagan
The fire is believed to be lightning-caused.
The Newby Lake fire is one of 32 new fires sparking on July 2.
READ MORE: 26 record temperatures and 32 new fires on another hot B.C. day
A reminder for weekend campers, a campfire ban is in effect as of noon today.
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