BURSTUPDATE: (8:25 p.m.)
The BC Wildfire Service and Peachland Fire and Rescue have brought a brush fire along Lipsett Road under control.
Peachland Mayor Patrick Van Minsel and the BC Wildfire Service posted updates confirming that the fire had been brought under control after 8 p.m., with crews still on scene dealing with remaining hot spots.
“My thanks goes out to the fire departments for their fast action, keeping Peachland safe,” said Van Minsel.
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been shared.
UPDATE: (8:00 p.m.)
The BC Wildfire Service is assisting Peachland Fire and Rescue with a fire along Lipsett Road that sparked in the evening of Aug. 25.
According to the BCWS, aerial resources that had been deployed to assist the fire had to be grounded after a drone was seen operating in the area.
Under Canadian Air Regulations, the space around all wildfires — a radius of five nautical miles around any smoke or fire — is automatically considered restricted, with drone operators facing stiff fines and potential criminal charges for impeding firefighting efforts.
BCWS also has ground personnel working along the flanks of the fire, which is showing a low rate of spread and mostly smouldering ground with pockets of open flame.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Peachland Fire and Rescue is currently on scene at a brush fire along Lipsett Road.
The fire is near homes in the 6100 block of Lipsett, near Aitkens Road.
Lines from nearby power and utility poles were visible burning, and it is unclear if and how many homes may be impacted by a potential power loss.
It is not currently known what started the fire.
The fire was reported around 6:15 p.m.