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Smoke from the Oliver fires cloaks Okanagan hills. (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)
Extremely dry conditions combined with gusting southerly winds are expected to increase the activity of the Testalinden Creek fire over the next few days.
On the evening of Friday, August 21st, the Testalinden Creek wildfire was estimated at 2500 hectares and was 50 per cent contained. The containment rate has not changed, but as of Saturday afternoon the fire was approximated at 3100 hectares.
This fire was pushed over containment lines that had previously been established on its north side by a cold front and winds that came through on August 20th. It has now taken ground on the south slopes of Hester Creek, and the fire’s north and west flanks remain its most active areas. For this reason, they are the top priority of the fire crews currently working on the scene.
The number of firefighters deployed to the Testalinden Creek wildfire has now topped 160, and there are 12 helicopters and 20 pieces of heavy equipment in use.
As containment efforts continue, one of the methods that may be employed is the burning out of forest fuels at the Hester Creek drainage. Because this would result in visible smoke and open flame, the community will be notified before any such action is taken.
No change to Evacuation Alerts and no new Evacuation Orders were associated with this update to the status of the Testalinden Creek Fire, however residents of the area should be aware that southerly winds may push smoke from the Washington fires into the valley and cause restrictions to the air operations on the Testalinden Creek fire.
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