B.C. fires: Bear Creek wildfire near Kelowna mostly contained

A wildfire near Kelowna is largely under control, but B.C. wildfire officials say steep, challenging terrain and weather will make it difficult to contain the remaining blaze.

​The Bear Creek Fire is now 75 per cent contained, says the B.C. Wildfire Service, and is 1.8 hectares, down from three hectares overnight.

The Wildfire Service says a 20-person crew is still battling the blaze, but the difficult territory and a thunderstorm accompanied by erratic winds will make remaining efforts challenging.

An evacuation alert for 80 properties around Bear Creek Provincial Park remains in effect for the fire which started on Sunday.

The next update will come at 7 p.m. PT.

Situation 'under control'

Earlier Monday morning fire information officer Kelsey Winter said the fire grew to three from two hectares overnight, but the situation was under control.

"It does look really good right now," said Winter. 

"We're only seeing rank one fire behaviour out there, so it means it's just a smoldering surface fire, not a lot of open flame."

Even so, they're keeping an eye out for new fires due to lightening last night.

"We did have quite a few strikes come through with this storm that has started new wildfires," said Winter. "So far they're all spot-sized and crews will be travelling out there today as well."

• B.C. fires: everything you need to know

The Central Okanagan Regional District said air tankers and helicopters were able to establish a fire retardant box around the fire over the course of the day. 

Watch video of the fire burning.

RCMP officers have asked boaters to keep clear of the area around the park to allow air tankers and helicopters clear access to water from Okanagan Lake.