Smoke returns to South Okanagan with rising south winds

PENTICTON – Smoke is settling in on the South Okanagan today as a wind shift brings smoke from the Diamond Creek wildfire back into the valley.

Environment Canada meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau says it’s hard to say exactly which fire to the south of the border is creating the smoke, as several large fires are burning in Washington state at this time.

The Diamond Creek fire, which started in Washington, jumped the border into B.C. earlier this week.

“This morning and early afternoon the wind has come up from the south in the low levels of the South Okanagan. We’re seeing haze being reported in Kelowna this afternoon, but it’s not as thick as it is further south,” she says.

The south winds are expected to ease this evening.

B.C. Wildfire reported at noon today, Sept. 1, the Diamond Creek fire has grown to an estimated 2,030 hectares on the Canadian side, burning backcountry near Border Lake and Cathedral Provincial Park, approximately 70 kilometres west of Osoyoos.

The fire is not considered to be an interface fire but B.C. Wildfire is flying over the area twice daily by helicopter to map the fire, determine whether growth has occurred and develop a strategy in the event it encroaches on structures or other resources of value.

Recent hot, dry weather has resulted in an increase in activity in the fire.

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