Update 4:30 p.m.:
The 1.8 hectare Log Chute wildfire burning south of Peachland is now considered under control, according to B.C. Wildfire Service.
Update 12:30 p.m.:
Highway 97 near the intersection of Brent Road in Peachland is now open to alternating traffic.
Original:
A new wildfire that sprung to life in the Central Okanagan on Monday morning has shut down Highway 97 in both directions near Peachland, B.C.
“That’s just a safety concern having our crews work that close to oncoming traffic obviously but the fire department had closed the highway prior to B.C. Wildfire crews responding to the fire,” said Madison Smith, fire information officer with the Kamloops Fire Centre.
Global News cameraman Steve Beskidny is on scene and says the blaze is burning in a rugged and remote area of the hillside above the highway.
Get daily National news
“There are three helicopters here right now that are getting water from the lake. It is on a hillside. It looks like it is moving up. It is on steep terrain. Traffic is closed,” he said.
- From ‘bird leg syndrome’ to solar storms: Roberta Bondar breaks down Artemis II mission
- Iran calls on the public to find the ‘enemy pilot’ as the US continues a frantic search
- CFIA continues recall for Tim Hortons heat-activated mugs after reports of burn risk
- 2 dead in overnight Brampton shooting after altercation: police
DriveBC confirms the wildfire is affecting traffic in both directions near Brent Road.
The B.C. Wildfire Service said the fire is approximately 0.3 hectares in size.
Ground crews, air tankers and helicopters are responding to the scene.
There are no structures in the vicinity of the fire.
“There are no structures threatened at this time and I can’t really speak to where the closest ones are, I just know that there are none in the area and B.C. Wildfire Service is not concerned about any structures at this time,” Smith said.
On Saturday, a wildfire threatened homes in the Peachland area.
During the height of Saturday’s wildfire, all properties along Maranatha Drive had been evacuated, with an evacuation alert issued for nearby homes.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.