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Peachland  

A wildfire has broken out on the south side of Hwy 97C near Trepanier Road

Hwy 97C fire smouldering

Madison Erhardt

UPDATE 6 p.m.

The Trepanier Creek Fire is one hectare in size.

It’s currently listed as out of control, but photos posted to social media show the fire is nearly extinguished and is emitting very little smoke.


UPDATE 4:25 p.m.

Ground crews are continuing to manage what is now a smouldering ground fire above Highway 97C and Trepanier Road.

DriveBC says the right lane of eastbound on Highway 97C remain be closed until at least tomorrow to provide space for firefighters to work.


UPDATE 2:40 p.m.

Crews appear to be making good progress on a small, now smouldering, fire above Highway 97C and Trepanier Road outside Peachland.

Chain saws can be heard from the fire site, signalling the arrival of ground crews. Air support in the form of helicopters and tankers has continued.

The fire has grown very little over the past hour and has remained on the ground.

The BC Wildfire Service has been unable to comment on the situation so far.


UPDATE 2:10 p.m.

Fire activity appears to have somewhat subsided as air support continues to hit the fire from above.

Open flame is no longer visible and the plume of smoke from the fire has lessened. The blaze is still mostly burning on the ground and has grown very little since first being reported.

The cause of the fire is not known at this time.


UDPATE 1:30 p.m.

Helicopters are bucketing a slowly growing wildfire burning above Highway 97C and Trepanier Road outside Peachland.

Air tankers and water skimmers are also attacking the fire. From the road below, open flame is visible, but the fire appears to be burning primarily on the ground.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says it is still gathering information.


UPDATE 1 p.m.

DriveBC is reporting the right lane of Highway 97C eastbound has been closed between Trepanier Road and Brenda Mine Road due to the fire.

Tankers are now hitting the fire with retardant.


ORIGINAL 12:40 p.m.

Air crews have just arrived at a wildfire burning out of control just off the Okanagan Connector.

Witnesses in the area say the fire is burning south of the highway near Trepanier Road.

The fire, which was first spotted around 11:30 a.m., has been burning up the hill.

BC Wildfire has been notified.

One helicopter is said to be circling the fire, however, water has not yet been dropped on the blaze.

Castanet News has a reporter heading to the scene.

We'll have more information when it becomes available.

Send pictures, video to [email protected].



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