Fire officials in British Columbia on Saturday said that despite concerns raised on Friday about wind gusts from the south increasing activity, the Christie Mountain wildfire only grew an estimated 53 hectares and about one millimetre of rain also fell on the blaze.
Though “vigorous,” Penticton fire chief Larry Watkinson said the winds were “soft” on the fire and as a result, crews did not see a lot of expansion. He said a lot of work was done to keep areas wet, and that crews didn’t see any ignitions from ember transplants or damage to structures.
Officials say the fire is approximately 2,000 hectares, though rocky terrain makes it difficult to size.
Watkinson brought what could be seen as good news on Saturday, saying they were able to send the majority of the out-of-town units back to their communities and were feeling confident the fire would stay out of the city.
BC Wildfire officials did caution, however, that while there was good news in terms of the fire’s lack of substantial growth, they were not lifting the evacuation order yet and would not do so until they were “comfortable” with the current fire situation.
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