Updated: Wilson’s Landing Fire 100% contained

Update. . . Fire crews were able to 100 per cent contain the Wilson’s Landing Fire by noon, Sunday, July 29.

The fire is now sitting at 4.4 hectares in size. The Wildfire Protection Branch notes there will be visible flame overnight, but that will be caused by fuel burning off well within the containment area of the fire.

Update (July 29). . . No growth was seen overnight  at the site of a fire above Westside Road.

The Wilson’s Landing Fire is now 60 per cent contained, according to the Wildfire Protection Branch. There are 25 firefighters on scene and one helicopter bucketing hot spots.

Update (9 p.m.). . . The Wilson’s Landing Fire has not grown in size over the past few hours, remaining at an estimated four hectares, according to the Wildfire Protection Branch.

The fire is now 40 per cent contained. Crews are expected to remain on the fire overnight.

Update (4:45 p.m.). . . A fire that started near Wilson’s Landing has grown in the past few hours but is now 20 per cent contained.

A total of 28 firefighters are on the ground, working on the fire. Three helicopters are bucketing.

The fire, which is located several kilometres south of Wilson’s Landing, has grown to four hectares in size.

One resident of Wilson’s Landing said the fire has crept down the slope toward Westside Road.

by Dave Preston

Forestry firefighters are battling a small blaze near Wilson’s Landing, south of Fintry Provincial Park.

As of 2 p.m., the wildfire was about 2.5 hectares in size, according to Michaela Swan, fire information officer.

Swan said the suspected cause of the fire was lightning. A thunderstorm passed through the Okanagan Valley Friday night.

“We have three initial attack crews on site,” said Swan. “We also have two air tankers and two helicopters.”

The fire is burning at a Rank 2 out of a scale of one to six. Rank 2 means people will see open flame and trees could possibly candle.

“There is no immediate threat to structures,” said Swan.

Firefighters are challenged by the fire’s location. Swan said it is located about 500 metres above Westside Road in steep terrain and with little access.

The fire is not contained at all and Swan said 20 additional firefighters are enroute from Merritt.

Swan said the Wildfire Protection Branch was first notified of a potential fire in the area during the thunderstorm Friday night. She added a crew was out until 1 a.m. Saturday looking for the fire, but they were unable to ascertain a location.

Shortly before 10 a.m., the fire was called in with a location. Swan said a number of people called in, wondering why firefighters were not at the scene.

“Don’t assume we know about a fire,” said Swan.

To report a wildfire or unattended campfire, dial *5555 on your cell phone or call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free.

If you have photos of the Wilson’s Landing fire, please send them to news@peachlandnews.com