The B.C. Wildfire Service is asking boaters to stay off the northern half of Osoyoos Lake and give water skimmers fighting the Richter Mountain fire a wide berth.
Fire information officer Nicole Bonnett says a pack of four skimmers are on the 60 hectare blaze south of Cawston, using Osoyoos Lake to reload.
“There are quite a few boats on the lake, and whether or not it’s intentional, obviously aircraft and wildfire response draws quite a bit of attention and I know people like to get close and see what’s going on, but sometimes [boaters] get a little too interested.”
She added boaters that get in the way of firefighting aircraft put themselves and the pilots at risk.
RCMP are out on the lake reminding people to stay away from the area the skimmers are using, according to social media.
In addition to the skimmers, the Richter Mountain wildfire has 41 firefighters assigned to it, supported by heavy machinery and a helicopter.
The fire is still classified as “out of control,” but is burning up into the mountain away from homes.
