UPDATE: Out-of-control blaze off Highway 97C near Peachland grows to 33 hectares

Carola Zabawa took this fire while travelling on Highway 97C, June 5, of the Pigeon Creek wildfire.Carola Zabawa took this fire while travelling on Highway 97C, June 5, of the Pigeon Creek wildfire.
The Pigeon Creek wildfire is burning 6.5 kilometres west of Peachland. (BC Wildfire Service)The Pigeon Creek wildfire is burning 6.5 kilometres west of Peachland. (BC Wildfire Service)
Heather Britton took this fire while travelling on Highway 97C, June 5, of the Pigeon Creek wildfire.Heather Britton took this fire while travelling on Highway 97C, June 5, of the Pigeon Creek wildfire.
Heather Britton took this fire while travelling on Highway 97C, June 5, of the Pigeon Creek wildfire.Heather Britton took this fire while travelling on Highway 97C, June 5, of the Pigeon Creek wildfire.

Update: 8:21 p.m.

BC Wildfire is now estimating the size of the Pigeon Creek blaze to be 33 hectares.

The size of the fire was updated at about 7:30 p.m. after more accurate mapping could be done.

A 20 km/hr northwest wind is expected overnight, gusting to 40 km/hr by late morning, with a high of 28C for Tuesday.

Wednesday is anticipated to heat up to 34 C and then 35 C on Thursday before cooling down with a chance of rain on Friday.

Update: 6:20 p.m.

The Pigeon Creek wildfire located off Highway 97C outside of Peachland has grown to 30 hectares.

According to BC Wildfire, this updated size reflects afternoon fire growth and more accurate mapping.

“Earlier mapping was limited due to poor visibility and high air tanker traffic over the fire,” stated the wildfire service.

There are currently no evacuation orders or alerts associated with this blaze and there are no area restrictions as of yet.

The cause is under investigation.

Update: 3:30 p.m.

BC Wildfire remains on scene of the 8 hectare blaze near Peachland with one initial attack and two unit crews, for a total of 44 personnel. Multiple aerial resources are responding.

The cause of the wildfire is under investigation.

Update: 1:50p.m.

Drivers on Highway 97C are able to see a growing wildfire and the aircrafts being used to douse the flames.

The Pigeon Creek wildfire, near Peachland, has grown to eight hectares after igniting at approximately 7p.m. on June 4.

Helicopters and water bomber airplanes are working with ground crews to manage the blaze.

The blaze is considered to be “out of control,” and continues to spread.

The highway is not impacted by the fire and there are no structures at risk at this time.

Update: 12p.m.

A wildfire that sparked just off Highway 97C, near Peachland has been growing steadily.

The blaze at Pigeon Creek was initially reported on June 4, at approximately 7p.m., at which time is was 0.2 hectares in size. Since then, the fire has grown to five hectares.

BC Wildfire Service considers the fire to be out of control and not responding to suppression efforts, which include ground crews and water bomber planes.

The wildfire service reports that the fire is burning in steep terrain and is being influenced by gusting winds.

Update: 10:43 a.m.

Gusting winds and steep terrain are causing challenges for crews fighting a wildfire just off Highway 97C near Peachland.

The Pigeon Creek wildfire started June 4, 6.5 kilometers west of Peachland and has since grown to approximately one hectare in size.

Eight ground personnel are currently on-site, supported by helicopters and air tankers.

The BC Wildfire Service classifies it as “out of control” and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Update: June 5, 7 a.m.

A wildfire that ignited near Peachland last night is still considered to be out of control but is now zero hectares in size.

The fire at Pigeon Creek, north of Highway 97C, was discovered shortly after 7p.m., according to the BC Wildfire Service.

Initially, the blaze was estimated to be 0.2 hectares in size, and ground crews were called in to knock down the flames.

BC Wildfire last provided an update on the fire at 9:47 p.m. on June 4.

The wildfire service still classifies the wildfire as “out of control” which means that it is continuing to spread and is not responding to suppression efforts.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Capital News will update this article as more information becomes available.

For more information visit the BC Wildfire Service website or Twitter.


@Rangers_mom
Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com

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Original

A wildfire has sparked approximately 6.5 kilometre west of Peachland.

The BC Wildfire Service tweeted that the Pigeon Creek wildfire is estimated to be 0.2 hectares in size, and is burning in steep terrain, north of Highway 97C.

Ground personnel are currently on site. The wildfire is highly visible from Highway 97C and is classified as out of control.

B.C. Wildfires 2023Breaking NewsCity of KelownaCity of West Kelowna