UPDATE: 3:35 p.m.
Monday’s cooler temperatures and scattered showers led to reduced fire activity on the north end of the Mount Law blaze.
One property on Turnbull Road and two properties on Emerald Road are being downgraded from an evacuation order to alert, by the Central Okanagan Emergency Operations.
However, Jason Brolund, Fire Chief of West Kelowna Fire Rescuee said Mount Law wildfire remains active and is considered out of control.
“We would like to thank BC Wildfire Service for standing alongside us and for continually increasing resources to help fire suppression efforts,” he said.
The following properties downgraded from an evacuation order to alert are:
•3713 and 3725 Emerald Road
•3770 Turnbull Road
The following properties remain on evacuation order:
•4713 MacKinnon Road
•3250 Highway 97
All other evacuation alerts and orders remain in place.
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Lower temperatures and increased precipitation are slowing down the spread of the Mount Law wildfire near West Kelowna.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, the last 48 hours haven’t seen significant growth in the fire thanks to cooler temperatures, high humidity and some precipitation over the fire area.
The fire still is spreading down the slope in the south just above Highway 97C, however.
Overnight, fire crews conducted planned hand ignitions along the fire guard on the south side of the fire, burning down excess fuel between the guard and the fire.
The service said the ignitions were successful and further, small hand ignitions will be conducted throughout the day to help burn pockets of fire fuel in the area around the fire.
“While the threat has eased through much of the fire with mild weather conditions, it is still uncontained in areas and crews are working for containment during this period of mild weather,” the service said in an update.
“We continue to ask that motorists do not stop on the highway to take photos or slow down to take photos as this poses a traffic hazard.”
The Mount Law wildfire was discovered just a week ago on Aug. 15 and is currently holding its estimated size of 800 hectares. It is still classified as out of control, with 112 firefighters tackling it along with 16 heavy equipment, five helicopters and 34 support staff.
READ MORE: Four properties downgraded from evacuation order to alert at Mount Law fire
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