Kelowna, B.C.- Fire crews from the West Kelowna fire department and BC Forest Service are working on extinguishing hot spots outside the fire guard at the wildfire burning at Rose Valley Dam, which is an estimated 100 hectares in size.

Air tankers are working on laying a line of retardant around the fire, and are supported by helicopters water-bucketing. Steep terrain in the area is presenting a challenge to fire crews, limiting the use of heavy equipment.

Air tankers and ten helicopters are also supporting ground crews on the 350 hectare fire at Glenrosa. The Type 1 Incident Management Team will take over command of the fire this afternoon, and manage both the Glenrosa and the Rose Valley Dam fires.

Fire crews were quick to jump on a grass fire in the Mission Creek Park area today. The flames burned an area of about 490 square meters. Crews brought that blaze under control, but the park is now closed.

The weather is expected to remain mainly sunny in the area, with highs in the mid to upper twenties. Winds from the north are forecast at 25 km/h with gusts in the afternoon up to 35 km/h, and could definitely pose a challenge to fire crews. The long range forecast is calling for a continuation of the hot and dry weather, with temperatures rising up into the mid-thirties for Monday and Tuesday.

These wildfires continue to threaten homes in the immediate area.

 

 

B.C.Hydro hopes to have power restored to some areas by early this evening. More than 5 thousand customers in Peachland, Summerland and Westbank are without power because of the fires.

 There are road closures in the vicinity of the wildfire, for more information on the road closures,  you can visit www.drivebc.ca.