BC Wildfire Service personnel are working to protect a power line threatened by the Brenda Creek wildfire, which is still estimated to be burning at 450 hectares in size as of Tuesday morning (July 20).

Mike McCulley, a fire information officer for BC Wildfire Service, said that crews are in the process of implementing a mass water delivery system to combat the flames and protect the power source, which is a single transmission line that provides power to 60,000 people in West 琉璃神社, Peachland, Summerland.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a four-inch water line, which is bigger than the current inch and a half water line,鈥� said McCulley. 鈥淭his allows them to run water further and use more sprinklers.鈥�

READ MORE: Brenda Creek wildfire threatening sole power source for the west side of Okanagan Lake

There are currently 39 firefighters on-site, supported by two helicopters and 13 pieces of heavy equipment. 20 support staff have also been deployed, which includes members of the BC Wildfire Service incident management team.

Structural units are still in place, and McCulley said that crews are also working on guard line reinforcement. Six firefighters stayed overnight to support the guard line reinforcement.

McCulley said that minimal fire growth was observed yesterday, but noted that there was a significant increase in fire behaviour due to strong winds and expects to see growth today as a result.

He also expressed appreciation for the support from the public.

鈥淥ur crews can鈥檛 do the work they need to without their help. It鈥檚 hard work, it鈥檚 tiring work,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ithout broader collaborators from the industry and the community 鈥� it鈥檚 very much appreciated.鈥�

He asked that residents continue to cooperate with personnel, and respect closures and restricted areas.

鈥淲e need the community to stay strong and work with us on that,鈥� he said.

READ MORE: Western Canada desperately needs rain but it鈥檚 not in the forecast: climatologist

aaron.hemens@kelownacapnews.com
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