Crews make progress on aggressive wildfire near Osoyoos

Crews make progress on aggressive wildfire near Osoyoos | iNFOnews.ca
The Richter Creek wildfire near Osoyoos is now 80 per cent contained. SUBMITTED/BC Wildfire

PENTICTON – B.C. Wildfire is reporting some success in their efforts to control the Richter Creek wildfire yesterday.

The wildfire is 80 per cent contained this morning, May 16, according to the B.C.Wildfire website.

The fire, first discovered Monday afternoon, May 13, burning approximately 12 km west of Osoyoos, has resulted in an evacuation alert for 14 properties in the area.

Successful back burns were carried out yesterday afternoon, May 15, that increased the fire’s size to 507 ha, but brought the fire down from steep slopes to an established control line.

Mop up along the fire’s south flank and along the west guard will take place today as the fire continues to be worked with 89 firefighters and four helicopters.

Environment Canada is calling for heavy rains in the area starting tonight.

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Steve Arstad

Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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