Smoke from the estimated 20,000-hectare out-of-control fire burning near Westwold is affecting hydro lines and knocking out power in some areas and they may continue, said BC Wildfire Services (BCWS) in a Friday morning update, July 30.
The smoke is also hindering the ability to use airtankers which is challenging suppression efforts.
On top of that, subtropical moisture may bring thunderstorms, strong winds and dry lightning, the provincial agency said.
Elevated fire behaviour is expected to continue due to the amount of fuel in the area and forecast weather conditions.
More than 100 firefighters, including support from Quebec, along with eight helicopters, 10 danger tree fallers, 38 pieces of heavy equipment, 23 support staff, three structural protection units and one crew and specialist and a BCWS Incident Management Team are assigned to the blaze.
Crews are working with industry partners to reinforce control liens while others are securing control lines using low-intensity hand ignitions to burn fuel northeast of the fire perimeter.
Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) said in an update that wildfire crews continue to allocate more resources to the fire after gaining an additional 15 support staff and two helicopters Thursday (July 29), including one of the largest in the fleet, the Skycrane.
All evacuation orders and alert will continue to remain in effect.
The fire has 20 properties in the Regional District of North Okanagan on evacuation order, along with 85 from Thompson-Nicola Regional District and one seasonal resort, eight seasonal dwellings, one seasonal property and two year-round residences within the Columbia-Shuswap Regional District.
Another estimated 1,220 properties across the three districts are on alert, ready to move at a moment鈥檚 notice.
An evacuation alert is also in effect for a portion of Okanagan Indian Band IR#1, from the southernmost boundary to Newport Beach, including Old Mill site, Parkers Cover, Whiteman鈥檚 Creek, 6 Mile and Komasket Park Area.
鈥淩eceiving an evacuation alert makes your guts clench no matter how prepared you think you are,鈥� area resident Brenda Giesbrecht said.
鈥淭uktakamin Mountain immediately south of the townsite is bathed in smoke. It鈥檚 eerie鈥� very little sound other than highway traffic 鈥� no bird song, no voices,鈥� she said.
鈥淚t is like everyone is holding their breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop.鈥�
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