Update: July 18 11 a.m.
Single-lane alternating traffic is still in effect along Highway 97 in Peachland where a wildfire started on July 17. The DriveBC website states that motorist should expect delays of 20 to 30 minutes through the area between Brent and Renfrew roads.
Update: 6 p.m.
The wildfire burning just off Highway 97 near Peachland on July 17, is now considered to be "held," and is not expected to grow.
Taylor Colman, information officer with the BC Wildfire Service said that after a collaborative effort involving three initial attack crews, three contract crews, an airtanker, skimmers, helicopters and a water tender truck, the fire is considered to be held.
Being held means that a wildfire is not expected to grow beyond a set control line or boundary.
After sparking at approximately 9 a.m., the blaze grew to a size of 6 ha.
Colman said the fire was controlled in large part by the immediate air support from airtankers, skimmers and helicopters who dumped water and created a perimeter of wet, less flammable fuel.
As B.C. is in the second week of a heat warning, fuels are dry, and fire will spread quickly without action from multiple teams, said Colman.
The blaze started within 50 m of the highway and is believed to be human caused, said Colman.
The proximity of the fire to the road required the complete closure of Highway 97, while crews battled the blaze. The road has since been opened.
Crews will continue to work to completely extinguish the blaze into the evening and may return to the site on the morning of July 18.
For more information on wildfires and the BC Wildfire Service visit
Update: 2:56 p.m.
The BCWildfire Service website state the fire has grown to six hectares. The fire is burning rank 1 with some rank 2, meaning a smouldering ground fire, with some visible open flame.
Update: 2:25 p.m.
DriveBC is reporting that Highway 97 three kilometres south of Peachland has opened to single-lane alternating traffic between Brent and Renfrew roads as emergency crews continue to battle a wildfire in the area.
BCWildfire Service is also reporting that fire has grown to 2.5 hectares and is still burning out of control.
Update: 1:17 p.m.
The BCWildfire Service says crews are making progress on the north and south flanks of the blaze. Skimmers and a helicopter are also responding. Air tankers were on site earlier and completed their objectives.
Highway 97 remains closed in both directions.
Update: Noon
The wildfire burning off Highway 97 between Peachland and Summerland is now 1.3 hectares in size.
BC Wildfire has two initial attack crews, two response officers, a helicopter, and a water tender responding to the blaze alongside both the Peachland and Summerland Fire Departments.
A water tender is also on the scene.
The fire is burning rank 1 with some rank 2, meaning a smouldering ground fire, with some visible open flame.
The blaze is located approximately 3 km south of Peachland on the western side of Highway 97.
A vehicle collision occurred right before the fire sparked and BC Wildfire is investigating the incident as human-caused.
Update 10:44 a.m.
Highway 97 is closed in both directions south of Peachland between Renfrew and Brent roads as emergency crews deal with a brush fire. Two initial attack crews, a helicopter, a water tender, and the Peachland and Summerland fire departments are fighting the blaze.
Original
Emergency crews have responded to a brush fire on Highway 97 near Brent Road in Peachland. They were called out around 9:20 a.m. Wednesday (July 17) following reports of a vehicle crash in that area.
Traffic on Highway 97 in that area is being impacted.
BC Wildfire is responding to the blaze that is approximately .75 hectares in size and burning out-of-control. It is located approximately three kilometres south of Peachland on the western side of Highway 97.
The Spring Lake wildfire, approximately 4.5 km west of Peachland that started on July 10, is now held. That fire remains at 2.6 hectares in size and is considered human-caused.
