fire crews made progress throughout the day

KELOWNA – The Okanagan Mountain Park fire is estimated to be 25,300 hectares in size.  Resources in place include 650 fire-fighters, 20 helicopters and 200 pieces of heavy equipment.  Additional air support is being provided by a Martin Mars and CL-415s.

Today air tankers and helicopters worked to establish a control line of fire retardant from the Myra Forest Service Road to the Kettle Valley Railway right of way.  The area between the fire front and the retardant line was burnt off in an attempt to prevent the fire from spreading toward eastern side of Kelowna.

Air and ground operations will continue throughout the day and late into the evening.  Ground crews will continue to work through the night where safe to do so.  Air operations will begin again at first light if conditions are favourable.

The revised weather forecast, which calls for winds from the northwest at seven to fifteen kilometres. per hour, is favourable for the fire fighting efforts.

People are asked to avoid travelling in or near the affected areas for a look at the fire.  Congestion increases the risk of an accident and emergency officials need to be able to deploy equipment in a timely manner.