UPDATE: Wind causes overnight flare ups on Mt. Law wildfire

Due to a wind event Wednesday night, the Mount Law wildfire in West Kelowna showed increased fire activity through the night.

BC Wildfire and emergency crews from West Kelowna and Peachland have been actively fighting the fire since 2 a.m. Helicopters are currently supporting crews on the ground. Additional air support is expected with the goal of maintaining established fire guards.

No additional evacuation orders or alerts have been prompted by the increased activity of the Mount Law wildfire. Highway 97C has been reduced to a single lane traffic flow in each direction for the safety of emergency crews and motorists.

The fire is estimated at 800 hectares and out of control.

The following properties remain on Evacuation Order:

4713 MacKinnon Road
3250 Highway 97
Evacuation Alert areas remain in effect; find a detailed map showing properties on Order and Alert or enter your address to search at cordemergency.ca.

Residents in the Alert areas are reminded to be ready to leave their home at a moment’s notice. They should be prepared to be away from their home for an extended period of time, pre-register with ESS online at ess.gov.bc.ca, make arrangements for pets and pack essential items such as medicines and important documents.

An area restriction remains in place for public safety reasons and the public is reminded to maintain a safe distance from the fire and all fire suppression activity.

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Controlled ignitions planned for Mt. Law wildfire Aug. 25, 2021

B.C. Wildfire Service is planning to do a number controlled ignitions along the Mt. Law fire boundaries over the next several days, which will lead to increased smoke activity in the area.

The BCWS reports that the fire in West Kelowna’s Glenrosa area, remains out of control with an estimated size of 800 hectares, and in order to improve on the fire lines, controlled ignitions will be done in the areas of Drought Creek and Law Creek.

The controlled ignition done on Wednesday, August 25 will span an area of about 10 to 15 hectares, and smaller hand ignitions will be done as needed through the remainder of the week. The ignitions are all based on weather conditions.

“The Mount Law Wildfire remains active and West Kelowna and Peachland Fire Rescue crews are working alongside BC Wildfire to continue to support fire suppression efforts,” said Jason Brolund, West Kelowna Fire Rescue Chief.

“These controlled ignitions are helpful and required to strengthen control lines. BC Wildfire will be letting the wildfire burn down to established guards so it can be put out there by fire crews.”

Meantime, an Evacuation Alert is in place for much of the surrounding communities, but an Order is only in place for the properties at 4713 MacKinnon Road and 3250 Highway 97.

Residents in the area are advised to be ready to leave their homes at a moment’s notice in the event that the fire conditions worsen and put homes and people at risk once more. The Regional District of Central Okanagan recommends residents sign up fo e-updates in order to get up-to-date information.

The public is also reminded to maintain a safe distance from emergency services and all fires and fire suppression activities.