UPDATE August 20: The Testalinden Creek Wildfire has grown about 700 hectares overnight to 2,500 hectares, but most of the growth is due to controlled burns. While plumes of smoke can be seen from the surrounding areas, the B.C. Wildfire Service says crews are doing some “burn out” operations, which gets rid of unburnt fuels, to strengthen the containment lines.
Airtankers, nine helicopters and 119 firefighters are working to knock down expected flare ups and contain the blaze.
The wildfire is now 50 per cent contained.
UPDATE August 19: The B.C Wildfire Service is trying to assess how big the Testalinden Creek fire is after it grew on Tuesday. At last word, the size of the fire was pegged at 1,600 hectares but it the B.C. Wildfire Service expects that number to now be bigger. The blaze is 40 per-cent contained. Crews are working to strengthen containment lines with special focus on the northwest flank of the fire. The forecast calls for a shift in wind activity over the next 24 to 36 hours with winds expected to come from the south.
Dark black smoke visible from Osoyoos Tuesday was making some nervous. The B.C. Wildfire Service says the smoke plume is a result of more fire activity near the northwest section of the Testalinden Creek Wildfire.
A spokesperson says the increased smoke was caused by both the blaze flaring up on its own and controlled burning being done by the B.C. Wildfire Service in the area of Testalinden Creek. Early Tuesday afternoon, the B.C. Wildfire Service said that crews were working on the flare up from the ground and air.
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READ MORE: Oliver breathes sign of relief as fire fight continues
“The wind has picked up a bit so that has increased our fire activity today. Crews will potentially be doing some burn out activity as well,” says fire information officer Noelle Kekula.
Fire officials are watching the weather and it seems mother nature may not help the fire fighting effort.
“The predicted forecast may present a challenge for our fire suppression efforts,” writes Kekula in a media release. “On Wednesday, hot and dry conditions will continue with a shift in wind direction from the south. Thursday there will be a change in the weather pattern that could bring potentially gusty northwesterly winds in the evening and overnight. Friday there will be cloudy skies with cooler temperatures.”
Kekula say crews may also use controlled burns to destroy the “remaining unburnt fuel between the fuel-free guard and the wildfire.” The aim of the burns would be to prevent the fire from jumping past control lines.
The fire is burning south of Oliver and is still estimated at 1,600 hectares in size. 125 homes remain on evacuation alert because of the blaze.
– with files from Angela Jung
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