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The skies over the mountains just west of Penticton were alive with activity Sunday morning and afternoon as an impressive airborne assault continued on the concerning Skaha Creek wildfire.
First spotted Saturday afternoon, the blaze continued through the evening and finished the day at an estimated 17 hectares in size.
Six "skimmers" launched into action mid-morning today, but that number had increased to nine -- all the skimmers currently available in the province, according to BC Wildfire fire information officer Taylor MacDonald -- by the early afternoon.
Nevertheless, the fire continued to grow in both ferocity and size. By 3pm Sunday, it had hit the 25-hectare mark. Flames were visible at times from vantage points within the city and clouds of smoke had now filled much of the western sky.
By mid-afternoon, two air tankers had also joined the skimmers -- and 20 ground personnel -- in battling the blaze.
"We've seen a bit of growth on it today," said Macdonald at 3 pm of the fire, which is suspected to be caused by human activity. "This one right now is burning in a northern direction toward a ridge line, so that's a good sign. And it's not moving eastward towards communities."
As always, BC Wildfire cautions boaters and swimmers to remain aware and keep clear of skimming aircraft as they do their job.
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