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UPDATE: Fire above Naramata is an illegal open burn

Smoke is still billowing from the blaze Friday morning

Update Friday, 7:30 a.m.

The plume of smoke seen billowing above Naramata is a large and illegal open burn that is still burning Friday morning.

When BC Wildfire personnel arrived Thursday night, they could see the open burn up Arawana Forest Service Road.

It’s not known at this time whether there was anyone present or if any fines were handed out with this illegal activity.

As of 7:30 a.m. Friday morning, the fire is still burning.

The wildfire service agency reminds the public that Category 2 and Category 3 open fires as well as other equipment and activities are prohibited throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre region.

Update at 7:30 p.m.: Smoke can still be seen rising from a wildfire above Naramata on Thursday night.

Around 4:30 p.m., black smoke could be seen rising from the mountain.

Because of its visibility many people called the fire in to BC Wildfire Service.

The fire has not been listed on the BC Wildfire Service’s active wildfire dashboard.

With tinder dry conditions throughout Okanagan, everyone is on edge about having another wildfire season like 2018 or 2017.

A vehicle that crashed into a ditch off of Highway 97C on Wednesday, reportedly burst into flames, sparking a wildfire.

The fire grew to nine-hectares near Merritt and continues to burn, today, June 17.

BC Wildfire is on scene.

READ MORE: Wildfire burning in Merritt off Highway 97



Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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