UPDATE (9 p.m.):
Minimal fire growth was observed at the Brenda Creek wildfire on Friday, according to an evening update from BC Wildfire Service.
“Fire behaviour was relatively calm today. The most active portion of the fire was near the southwest flank,” said BC Wildfire.
Forty-three firefighters were on site today battling the flames, supported by four helicopters and 16 pieces of heavy equipment. An additional 34 staff, which includes members from a BC Wildfire Service’s incident management team, were also deployed.
Crews continued to reinforce sections of a guard line on the northwest corner of the fire by burning off fuel between the guard and the fire with small, hand ignition operations. Helicopters bucketed water onto hotspots and will continue to do so tomorrow.
BC Wildfire said that crews will continue to “mop up” along the transmission line, conditions permitting.
However, warmer temperatures are expected in the next coming days, and personnel is anticipating an increase in fire activity.
“Winds will be calmer, which may result in poor venting, smokey skies and reduced visibility for aircraft,” said BC Wildfire.
The fire remains at an estimated size of 662 hectares.
ORIGINAL:
The mass water delivery system that was installed earlier this week to protect a transmission line from the Brenda Creek wildfire has been effective in protecting the power source, BC Wildfire Service said in a Thursday evening (July 22) update.
“The transmission line remains operational,” said BC Wildfire.
The water delivery system consists of a four-inch hose line that provides water to a series of larger sprinklers, via a specialized high-volume pump that can be turned on quickly if the transmission line is threatened.
The system is designed to protect a section of the transmission line located within the fire perimeter. The power source is a single transmission line that provides power to 60,000 people in West Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland.
READ MORE: UPDATE: Brenda Creek fire threatens power line, Westside urged to prepare for potential outage
Crews spent Thursday reinforcing sections of a guard line on the northwest corner of the fire by burning off fuel between the guard and the fire with small, hand ignition operations. Helicopters also dropped water on hotspots and will continue to do so today.
However, winds were consistent on the fire all day today, resulting in an increase in fire activity and growth to the southeast. The fire is currently estimated at 662 hectares in size.
READ MORE: Brenda Creek wildfire grows to 662 hectares
Forty-two firefighters were on-site Thursday, supported by three helicopters and 14 pieces of heavy equipment. An additional 24 additional support staff were deployed, which included members from BC Wildfire Service’s incident management team.
Four firefighters and three support staff remained overnight to monitor the fire and protect high-value features.
@aaron_hemensaaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
