Smoky conditions halt night vision tanking operations at Bradley Creek wildfire near Okanagan Lake; blaze remains out of control at 2,852 hectares

The Bradley Creek wildfire continues to pose a significant threat near Okanagan Lake, burning an estimated 2,852 hectares and remaining out of control. On August 5, BC Wildfire Service reported low fire behavior, with Rank 1 and Rank 2 activity noted along the flanks.²³⁴⁵

Fire crews have made progress with small-scale hand ignitions on the southwest flank, effectively tying the fire perimeter into machine guards. This strategy has been crucial in preventing the blaze from spreading towards hazardous areas left by the 2021 White Rock Lake wildfire.⁶⁷

Despite these efforts, smoky conditions have severely impacted operations. Night vision tanking was halted due to visibility issues, complicating firefighting efforts. Currently, 77 fire personnel, 95 structure protection personnel, 18 pieces of heavy equipment, and 12 helicopters are engaged in battling the wildfire, which is one of 112 active wildfires in British Columbia and suspected to be human-caused.¹

As crews continue to extinguish hot spots and monitor heat detected near residential areas along Westside Road, the situation remains critical, with ongoing assessments necessary to ensure public safety.⁹¹⁰