UPDATE: 2 p.m The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen Emergency Operations Center and BC Wildfire Service are holding a live video update on the Keremeos Creek Fire at 2 p.m. Watch live above. Photo: BCWS UPDATE: 9:45 a.m The latest update from the BC Wildfire Service indicates that crews will continue to use scheduled flares to reinforce the hand guards constructed on Sunday. “Two unit crews will be using hand ignitions on approximately 30 hectares to secure a large section of land north of the town of Olalla. Helicopters and an ignition specialist will also be on site,” the Monday morning update said. “These hand igniters will bring the fire down to safe, workable ground for crews and are critical to establishing reliable containment. During operations, increased fire activity and smoke may be visible from Olalla and Keremeos. “ The weather today will reach a maximum expected temperature of 29 degrees Celsius and a minimum relative humidity of 15 percent, with winds of up to 10 kilometers per hour from east and southeast directions. “This means some containment lines could be triggered, possibly bringing the fire closer to Apex Mountain Resort and the Olalla Creek drainage. Given the forecasted crossover conditions, crews will be monitoring the weather at all work locations.” A new perimeter will take place later in the day, but the current size estimate is 5,903 hectares. 245 wildland firefighters have been assigned to this fire working with an additional 160 structural protection personnel from fire departments across BC. for a total of 405 firefighters. The Keremeos Creek Fire has been burning since July 29. Apex Mountain Village and Olalla remain under evacuation orders, along with many adjacent rural properties, and more than 1,000 properties are on watch. For a complete list and to learn about emergency support for displaced people, click here. ORIGINAL: 6:30 am Controlled burns were used Sunday in an effort to contain the Keremeos Creek Fire southwest of Penticton. “The size of the fire is going to grow because we are bringing fire to our control lines,” said fire intelligence officer Michael Elsay. Crews designed the flares for the handguard fortification that were built on Saturday. Hand flares on approximately 30 hectares were used to secure a large section of ground north of Olalla and bring the fire down to safe, workable ground for crews. Manual flares were also planned on the northeast corner of the fire, off the end of Sheep Creek Road. Crews have been assigned to contain the fire north of the Highway 3A corridor. The fire currently has an area of 5,903 hectares. On the west side, crews continued a direct attack from Green Mountain Road to Keremeos Creek Forest Service Road. Heavy equipment continues to be used to establish emergency lines from Apex Mountain over Dividend Mountain to South Keremeos Creek. On the eastern side, containment lines continue to be established in the northeast quadrant. Crews continue to build line around Hedges Butte to McKay Creek, as well as build fuel-free guardrails from McKay Creek to Green Mountain Road as well. The BCWS Structure Protection Branch continues to assign crews to install sprinkler systems to protect properties in the northeast quadrant along Green Mountain Road. Night operations continue with wild and construction crews patrolling, mopping up where and as needed. More than 500 properties are under evacuation orders, while more than 1,000 others are on evacuation alert. Hot, dry weather will continue to increase fire activity, the BC Fire Service says, but calmer winds will aid firefighters in their efforts. “The evenings have been much more stable the last couple of days,” Elsay said Sunday. – with files from The Canadian Press
