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(UPDATE: July 11 @ 3:40 pm) - The Spring Lake wildfire is now considered to be "held."
In an update this afternoon, the BC Wildfire Service says the fire is no longer expected to grow beyond its current perimeter.
The suspected human-caused wildfire sparked around 4.5 kilometres west of Peachland shortly before 5 pm on Wednesday.
Thanks to a quick response and plenty of available resources, crews were able to stop it in its tracks in less than 24 hours.
(UPDATE: July 11 @ 12:40 pm) - The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) continues to respond to the small wildfire west of Peachland.
The Spring Lake wildfire is now measured at 2.6 hectares in size as it burns around 4.5 kilometres away from the Central Okanagan community.
Since fire season hasn't kicked into full gear yet, the BCWS has been able to devote ample crews to the incident.
There are currently three initial attack crews and one unit crew, for a total of 34 personnel, battling the wildfire from the ground.
A water tender is supporting their response, as is a skimmer group from above that the BCWS says is "working to cool fire behaviour."
The aerial support is using Okanagan Lake as a water source and, as always, boaters are urged to stay away from the area to let them do their work safely.
(UPDATE: July 11 @ 5:11 am) - The wildfire west of Peachland is now estimated to be 2.2 hectares in size, according to the latest update from the BC Wildfire Service.
It's still listed as out of control.
BCWS now thinks the fire was started by humans, having previously suspected lightning.
(UPDATE: July 10 @ 6:25 pm) - The latest update from the BC Wildfire Service pegs the new wildfire near Peachland at 1.2 hectares.
The BCWS has also updated the location of the fire to near Spring Lake, as seen on the map below, and the suspected cause as lightning.
Photo Credit: BC Wildfire Service
According to the BCWS, the fire is 4.5 kilometres west of Peachland and displaying rank 2-3 behaviour, which means it has an open flame and moderate rate of spread.
There are currently two initial attack crews, one unit crew, two helicopters and several air tankers responding to the incident.
As always, boaters should stay well away from the area to allow the aerial help to safely perform their duties.
Photo Credit: BC Wildfire Service
(UPDATE: July 10 @ 6 pm) - Several skimmer planes are heading towards the Central Okanagan from Kamloops.
Flight tracking data shows at least four water bombers en route to the new wildfire above Peachland from Kamloops.
They will likely arrive in the next few minutes.
Photo Credit: flightradar24.com
In the meantime, the fire appears (from the KelownaNow office in Landmark 6) to be growing in steady winds, as the cloud of white smoke coming from the area continues to get bigger.
However, the BC Wildfire Service has not provided any further update on an estimated size or what kind of ground response there has been.
KelownaNow will continue to update this story as it develops.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
(Original story: July 10 @ 5:35 pm) - Crews are responding to a new wildfire near Peachland this evening.
According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the fire was discovered shortly before 5 pm and is spot sized at this time (0.009 hectares).
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
However, it is producing smoke that is visible around the Central Okanagan, especially the south part of Kelowna.
At least one BCWS aircraft can be seen in the area, but there are no available details regarding ground response at this time.
Photo Credit: David van der Guilk (Black Mountain Community Facebook Group)
Weather conditions are a concern, as it has been hot and dry of late and Environment Canada is calling for a windy evening in the region.
KelownaNow will update this story as more information becomes available.
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