UPDATE: Wildfire near Coldstream now being held

(UPDATE: July 13 @ 5:59 am): The Becker Lake wildfire is now being held.

It remains at 35 hectares, according to BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).

An evacuation alert has now been rescinded by the regional district.

According to BCWS, there were 41 firefighters and two helicopters dealing with the fire last night.

The cause remains under investigation.

(Original story: July 12 @ 6 am): The Becker Lake wildfire is now at 35 hectares.

BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said the blaze, about five kilometres east of Vernon, has been upgraded to a wildfire of note.

It remains out of control, though firefighters said there was no new growth yesterday.

An evacuation alert for the Becker Lake area will remain in place, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) said last night.

“The conditions of the Becker Lake fire are stable but is still considered out of control at this time,” RDNO explained last night.

“The BC Wildfire Service is continuing to gain containment, and crews will be monitoring the fire throughout the night.”

An update is expected from RDNO at noon on Monday.

The fire’s cause is still being investigated.

Last night, the BCWS said it had 41 firefighters and two helicopters managing the blaze.

The agency expressed frustration on Saturday, however, after a drone was flown in the area.

“This compromises suppression efforts and halts air operations,” the BCWS explained.

“This type of activity is extremely dangerous and poses a significant safety risk to personnel, especially when low-flying firefighting aircraft are present. If a drone collides with firefighting aircraft, the consequences could be deadly.”

The evacuation alert connected to this fire applies to the following areas:

District Of Coldstream

• Ravine Dr.,

• Ranchland Pl.,

• Cypress Dr.,

• Ridgemont Dr.,

• Rockland Dr.

• Upland Dr.,

• Upper Crestview,

• Fairmont Pl.

• Crestview Dr.,

• Jeffrey Dr.,

• Scenic Dr.,

• Auburn Ct.,

• Hymar Pl.,

• North Side Buchanan Rd. (8600blk- 9800blk),

• Midland Pl., Nickle Rd.,

• Upland Hts.

RDNO- Area C

• Robin Rd.,

• Galiano (715-1294),

• Boss Ck Rd. (3965- onwards),

• French Rd.,

• Greenwood Rd.,

• South Side Hartnell RD.,

• Kingsview Rd.,

• Lynx Dr.