(UPDATE: July 19 @ 1 pm) – The fire is now under control.
It only grew to three hectares before crews were able to contain it.
(UPDATE: July 17 @ 5:44 am) – The fire has now grown to three hectares.
It remains out of control.
Photo credit: BC Wildfire Service
(UPDATE: July 16 @ 4:10 pm) – The new wildfire burning around 6 km west of Hwy 33 near Lower Barge Lake is said to be displaying rank three and four fire behaviour.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, that means it's a "moderate to highly-vigorous surface fire" with some trees candling as well.
The fire is still listed as one hectare in size, but you can expect that number to grow once crews are able to provide a more up-to-date size estimation.
(Original story: July 16 @ 2:30 pm) – A new wildfire has popped up in the Okanagan.
The BC Wildfire Service map shows it near Lower Barge Lake, around 6 km west of Hwy 33 and 20 km south of the Big White turnoff.
It’s listed as just one hectare in size at the moment, but smoke from the fire is visible from Big White.
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Photo Credit: Big White Fire DepartmentA photo taken from the Falcon Chair at Big White.
According to a social media post from the Big White Fire Department, the BCWS is coordinating the response.
The early response includes 16 ground personnel along with aviation resources that include three helicopters.
KelownaNow will update this story as more information becomes available.
