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Fire near Highway 97 in Peachland held at 6 hectares

Click to play video: 'Fire forces closure of Highway 97 near Peachland, B.C.'
Fire forces closure of Highway 97 near Peachland, B.C.
WATCH: A fast-growing wildfire is causing major traffic problems in the Okanagan. – Jul 17, 2024

Traffic along Highway 97 near Peachland, B.C., is flowing once again after a wildfire temporarily closed the road.

The Brent Road fire, believed to be human-caused,  reached six hectares before the BC Wildfire Service deemed it to be held.

BC Wildfire sent ground teams and air support to battle the blaze alongside Summerland and Peachland fire departments.

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The fire, that started as a smouldering ground fire with visible flames, is an estimated three kilometres south of Peachland and on the western side of Highway 97.

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It was originally sized at .75 of a hectare when it was first reported shortly after 9 a.m.

BC Wildfire said the highway closure was necessary, as it allowed firefighters a better worksite to battle the blaze.

“The public did an amazing job of reporting the wildfire,” said BCWS, “and also sending photos through the BCWS app. It greatly helps our operational team make those decisions when they’re trying to figure out what they need to send to a fire.”

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