The lightning-caused fire between Peachland and Summerland is estimated to be nearly 1,400 hectares in size.
After being held at 1,000 hectares for most of Friday, the Mount Eneas grew by 374 hectares in the evening, according to updates posted to the BC Wildfire Service’s website.
“Where it grew was in areas we had anticipated it growing, so it’s not like there was a big excursion,” information officer Noelle Kekula said. “When we build our containment line around it, there’s a bit of green between it, and so it’s ultimately going to grow until it gets to the area we want it to.”
“The objective today is just to strengthen containment lines and create some more containment lines,” Kekula said, adding that the fire didn’t cross the highway on Friday or overnight. “We’re really trying to work hard to increase containment while we’ve got this cooler weather.”
Approximately 75 firefighters are currently battling the Mount Eneas fire, Kekula said.
Approximately 75 properties are currently under an evacuation order on the south side of the Mount Eneas wildfire, and another 154 properties are under an evacuation alert.
Munroe Lake Fire
The Munroe fire, estimated at six hectares, is causing concern that it will merge with the nearby Mount Eneas fire.
“Those are still two separate fires,” Kekula said. “But they may join at some time in the future. We’re watching that.”
“If it joins, then there’s less perimeter that we have to manage for, and if it doesn’t join, that’s OK too,” Kekula said. “There’s not values at risk between the two, if they do join, yes, there are timber values we will lose, but as for our priorities of life, property and infrastructure, there’s nothing like that in between the two.”
Mount Conkle Fire
The Mount Conckle fire is estimated at 119 hectares, according to B.C. Wildfire Service’s website.
“We’ve got a guard around it, and it sounds like it stayed within that containment line,” Kekula said. “Crews are getting hose lay around it, so we can start seeing some containment from that one in the future.”
Law Creek Fire
At only eight hectares in size, Law Creek fire is one of the smaller blazes of note in the Okanagan.
“From what we’re hearing, it stayed within containment,” Kekula said. “There’s a couple fires in the area that they’re actioning. Between the air, the people and the equipment, we’re trying to contain it.”
Good Creek Fire
According to officials, the Good Creek fire did not grow overnight.
“Yesterday with those north winds, all it did was push it up the mountain, and it hasn’t headed towards properties at all,” Kekula said.
The regional district removed the evacuation alert on 15 properties near the area on Friday.
Approximately 200 firefighters, 18 helicopters, air support and heavy equipment are currently battling fires in the Okanagan.
“We did see cooler temperatures yesterday, which was great to see, and it was kind of calm during the day, although the winds picked up in the afternoon,” Kekula said.
Officials are expecting similar conditions on Saturday but are worried Monday will return to hot and dry conditions, she added.
“No homes have been lost. There may have been some outbuildings and things lost, but we’re not completely sure on that,” Kekula said.
Kekula is reminding boaters on Okanagan Lake to stay out of the way of firefighting operations.
“The lake’s big enough that you don’t need to interfere with our operations,” she said.
According to officials, 119 fires are currently burning through the province.
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