Wet weather helps crews contain Little White Mountain wildfire

UPDATE Sunday AM: This weekend’s rainfall has helped fire crews bring the the Little White Mountain wildfire, estimated to have gotten to almost 200 hectares, to 100 per cent containment. The Myra-Bellevue fire, estimated to have reached six hectares, is also 100 per cent contained. 

KELOWNA – Rain showers Friday morning are helping crews fighting the Little White Mountain wildfire south of Kelowna.

Fire Information Officer, Melissa Klassen, says the precipitation and cooler temperatures have definitely tamped down the fire behaviour.

Seven pieces of heavy equipment, along with a three-member Initial Attack crew, worked overnight to try to contain the blaze.

Bulldozer guards were built along the fire’s western flank.

Klassen says about 30 personnel are working on the wildfire Friday, adding the main concern is the possibility of strong winds in the afternoon.

Another concern is people trying to access the area on back roads.

Klassen says they’re considering closing the area to the public as the road traffic increases the risk of crashes with operational vehicles.

The fire covers 120 hectares and is the result of human activity with the cause being investigated.

The flames are not threatening any structures.

With three wildfires breaking out around the same time Thursday afternoon in relatively close proximity, there is conjecture they may be the work of an arsonist.

But Klassen says there’s no concrete evidence of that.