Back-to-back wildfires in Similkameen region under investigation – Okanagan [Video]

Having to battle two wildfires within a two-hour span, it was a busy and hectic Monday for the Lower Similkameen Indian Band.

The First Nation says both fires happened in the Chopaka, B.C., area, not far from the U.S. border. The first occurred around 3:15 p.m., and the second just before 5 p.m.

Both fires were handled and are now under investigation.

Incidentally, also on Monday, a four-person crew from FortisBC was working on a power line along the 200 block of Chopaka Road.

The LSIB said the power was off for less than two hours while Fortis worked in hot temperatures (37 C) to restore power.

Then came the first call of a column of smoke rising from the south end of Chopaka, at the cemetery.

The fire was well outside of the Keremeos Fire Department’s response area, leading to a response from the BC Wildfire Service.

But before BCWS arrived, the LSIB said multiple community members and …