Okanagan forest fire fully contained
CBC News
Posted: Sep 7, 2011 11:45 AM PT
Last Updated: Sep 7, 2011 8:33 PM PT
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Fire crews have now fully contained the Bear Creek wildfire near West Kelowna.
A lack of wind has helped firefighters get control of the fire on the west side of Okanagan Lake, and the air quality has improved enough for the Environment Ministry to lift a smoke advisory.
Firefighters who monitored the 39-hectare fire during the night were concerned the wind might kick up and push the fire over the established guards, but that didn't happen.
About 550 residents and campers were allowed to return to the area on Tuesday afternoon. They were evacuated after the fire broke out on Monday night.
The fire risk in the Central Okanagan remains high, however, and fire information officer Lindsay Carnes is warning people who venture into wooded areas to be extra careful.
"We are seeing some hot and dry weather and so even though it's past Labour Day, the risk of fire is still very present and perhaps even more so than what we saw in July," said Carnes.
In response to the fire risk, the City of Kelowna has closed Knox Mountain Park to motorized vehicles. Vegetation in the park is extremely dry and could easily catch fire from an accidental spark.
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