UPDATE 7:05 p.m Firefighting helicopters are making great progress on a ground fire burning above Traders Cove. Mike Bhangu, a former Merritt councilor and mayoral candidate, is watching the fire from across the lake in Kelowna and says the pair of helicopters attacking the fire are in “overdrive.” “They manage this fire,” he said. Smoke from the fire has subsided since it was first reported. “They’re doing an amazing job,” he said. “Having just been through a flood as a councilman in Merritt in 2021, this is a new reality — fires, floods,” he said. And you know, as a society, we have to adapt. And in my opinion, we need to put more resources into fighting fires.” The BC Wildfire Service says more crews are en route to the incident to support the initial attack team. The cause of the fire is currently unknown. UPDATE 6:30 p.m The BC Wildfire Service has revised its size estimate for the Blue Grouse Creek Fire. The fire is “spot size” or about 90 square meters, the agency said in a tweet. The fire is burning near the summit of Blue Grouse Mountain and has been declared out of control. The mountain has a popular hiking trail on it. “No honor is at risk at this time,” BCWS said.
#BCWildfire is responding to the Blue Grouse Creek Fire (K52332) located ~9 km NW of #Kelowna . The fire is currently spot size (0.009 hectares) and has been declared out of control. Personnel are en route and 2 helicopters are supporting. No honor is at risk at this time. pic.twitter.com/h6sEjAs5oy — BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) September 9, 2022 UPDATE 6:15 p.m The BC Wildfire Service says the new start above Traders Cove is about 1,000 square meters in size. The fire is called the Blue Grouse Creek Fire and is being attacked from the air by a pair of helicopters. Two firefighters from the first attack are also at the scene. ORIGINAL 5:45 p.m Fire crews are en route to a new fire above Traders Cove on the Westside. A small plume of smoke is coming from Blue Grouse Mountain, north of the Bear Lake Main Forest Service Road. The BC Wildfire Service has confirmed that crews are on their way, but have no details at this time. Photos sent to Castanet show helicopters already on fire. More to come… Photo: Contributed Photo: Mark Goddard
