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UPDATE: BCWS: boaters steer clear of Osoyoos Lake’s north end so skimmers can do job

BC Wildfire crews and air support are responding
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Update 9:30 p.m.

Twenty firefighters are remaining at the site overnight with heavy equipment.

Update 4 p.m.

BC Wildfire Services is asking boaters to stay away from the north end of Osoyoos Lake so skimmers can safely carry out firefighting operations on the Richter Mountain wildfire.

“There’s boaters’ safety but also pilot safety because when you get in the way, even unintentionally, it puts everybody at a pretty big risk,” said BCWS prevention specialist Nicole Bonnett.

The Richter Mountain wildfire is still estimated to be 60 hectares and crews are making good progress, Bonnett said.

“This is the time of day you would see some increase in fire behavior just because it is the hottest time of the day and the relative humidity is at the lowest point,” she said. “It’s a good thing if we’re not seeing a huge increase in fire activity when you reach the hottest part of the day.”

Update 10:30 a.m.

The wildfire, now dubbed the Richter Mountain wildfire, is currently estimated at 60 hectares in size.

While it is visible from Highway 3 and the surrounding communities, BC Wildfire Services says it is not yet threatening any structures.

BC Wild Service has four people on the scene right now, with two unit crews on the way — an additional 40 people.

Yesterday evening, when the wildfire started, the crews were fighting it with air tankers and a helicopter.

Update 9:30 p.m.

BC Wildfire Service says the Manary Creek wildfire is now estimated at 25 hectares.

It is characterized as out of control.

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BC Wildfire Service Crews are on the scene of a three hectare wildfire, about 14 kilometres southeast of Cawston.

The fire is burning on the west face of Mount Kobau, adjacent to Highway 3 in the Similkameen. The fire is in the same region as the 2018 Snowy Mountain fire, which consumed more than 2,000 hectares.

Six ground crew, an air-tanker, and a helicopter are working to douse the fire, says fire information officer Taylor MacDonald.

The wildfire is believed to be caused by lightning.

More to come.

READ MORE: Update: Wind cancels burn-off plans for Snowy Mountain fire